Avoiding IT Change Fatigue: The Productivity Killer

Written by Elizabeth

Elizabeth Giles is a seasoned writer with over 10 years of experience in the enterprise software industry. She holds a BA in Applied Linguistics with a Minor in Russian Language from the University of Victoria, having studied at both the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy in Kyiv, Ukraine and Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan. Her global mindset and experience in ERP make her an asset in driving innovation and growth within the tech sector.

on 29 March 2023

Change is an inevitable part of any organisation and can have far-reaching benefits in terms of efficiency and innovation. But as with any transformation, change comes with its own set of challenges—one of which we like to call ‘change fatigue’. This occurs when employees become overwhelmed by the constant need to adjust to new processes and procedures. It can lead to reduced motivation and morale, decreased productivity, and ultimately — change failure. In this blog post, we’ll discuss why ignoring change fatigue can be a major contributor to change failure.

What is Change Fatigue?

Change fatigue refers to the physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion that employees feel when they are continuously asked to adjust their behaviour or processes in order to fit the demands of a changing environment. It’s essentially the result of trying too hard to stay ahead of the curve while making sure you don’t fall behind it at the same time—something that can be incredibly taxing on both your body and mind.

Consequences of Ignoring Change Fatigue

If left unchecked, change fatigue can have serious consequences for an organisation. Not only does it lead to reduced morale and motivation among employees, but it also contributes to higher levels of stress—something that can lead to health problems down the line as well as decreased productivity in the short term. Additionally, when employees are constantly dealing with feelings of burnout due to change fatigue, they may be less likely to take initiative or come up with creative solutions that could help move the company forward.

Furthermore, ignoring change fatigue can also contribute directly to change failure. When employees are experiencing high levels of stress due to constantly being asked to adjust their behaviour or processes without being given adequate resources or support from their managers, they may become resistant or apathetic towards any further changes that are proposed—which could then lead directly to those changes failing in implementation.

5 Ways to Minimise Change Fatigue

Define the scope of the change.
What exactly will be changing, and how will it impact users? By clearly defining the scope of the change, you can help to ensure that employees understand what is happening and why it’s happening. Additionally, defining the scope of the change can help to ensure that only necessary changes are made, which can help to reduce frustration later on.
Communicate early and often.
It’s important to let employees know about upcoming changes as soon as possible so that they can begin to prepare, as well as keeping them updated on the status of the change and any new information that becomes available. Open communication can help to build trust and reduce anxiety about the change.
Provide training and support.
Providing training materials or holding training sessions can help users feel more confident about using the new system and can help to ensure that they are able to take full advantage of its features. Additionally, having a support team available to answer questions and address problems can help to reduce user frustration and promote adoption of the new system.
Be flexible.
Change is never easy, and there will always be some level of resistance from employees. It is important to be flexible in your approach to the introduction of a new system and be willing to make adjustments based on feedback from users. For example, if a particular change is causing a great deal of stress for employees, you and other stakeholders may need to consider scaling back the scope of the change or delaying its implementation until a later date. Being flexible in your approach will show users that you are committed to their success and helping them through this difficult time.
Reward employees for their efforts.
Employees who go above and beyond in learning the new system, or even helping other employees with their learning, should be recognised for their efforts. This could be anything from company-wide recognition, bonuses, flex-days, or team events.

TLDR

Change fatigue can be a serious obstacle for organisations looking to grow and adjust with changing business conditions. Taking the necessary steps to minimise change fatigue will not only help ensure that change efforts succeed, but also improve employee morale, reduce health risks, and create a positive workplace culture. These steps may include implementing a clear scope of the change, sharing information early and often, providing adequate training and support during the transition period, being flexible in the approach taken to implement changes, and rewarding employees for their hard work. With these precautions in place, organisations are better positioned to reap long-term successes from changes instead of suffering short-term losses due to exhaustion or burnout. With proper guidance and support in place, everyone will learn to embrace their new reality and adapt accordingly. Ultimately, when change fatigue is handled properly, it has the potential to greatly improve employee engagement and productivity long after the change has occurred.