Business Change: The Difference Between Change Agents And Subject Matter Experts In Organization Change

Change agents are often brought in as external consultants for business change initiatives. This can be done due to staffing issues, prior failures in change initiatives, or because senior management wanted an expert on change management involved with the process. This decision could be beneficial to the company and could result to improved efficiency and productivity which could in turn lead to success. Change agents have a lot of expertise, but they're not subject matter experts. It is impossible for a change agent to be an expert in the minute details of every business that may employ them as a consultant. Most business change who have achieved success, have employed subject matter experts to help out.

The job of the change agent is to deal with the parts of the process that are part of their expertise. This may involve refining new evaluation methods, developing new modes of communication to keep everyone well informed, or keeping the internal staffing on task with the change process. Change agents have one other primary role and that is to make certain that there are subject matter experts on hand if ever and whenever their input is necessary.

Subject matter experts are usually not qualified enough to deal with business change because they're not experts on change. They are not in the position or capacity to develop the business change proposal. However, technical experts can be a somewhat cranky lot and can find themselves excluded entirely from the change process. This is a mistake. They should be asked for input in the technical areas of the proposal. For instance, they will be aware of everything about the competition, relevant patents, and other technologies that is used by the business. This allows them to be in a position where they could offer technical advice that will bring about the best chance for success.

During a business change, one important thing to remember is that it's all about business. For a successful business change, someone with a high level of expertise is needed. This is the subject matter expert, not the change agent.

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