SAMS: a team tool for change management
- Tim Lambert
- Jun 3
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 6
SAMS stands for:
Same
Add
Modify
Stop
It is a tool that supports Change Design, Change Management, & Change Communication
INTRODUCTION
People can become overwhelmed by change, believing that EVERYTHING is going to change as a result. Change can induce all sorts of negative emotions but many of these are triggered by a failure to grasp the intricacies of the looming change. In the absence of clarity, people make up their own stories about what is going to happen, and these are often far worse than the reality.
By using SAMS, you have a vehicle for communicating what the change will entail in a more positive way. And the tool will help you clarify just what the change will comprise of. It encourages you to map the elements of your proposed change programme and measure how big or small the change might be.

ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1.
Write down a short description of the Change under review
Step 2.
Discuss the change and identify what will NOT CHANGE as a result of this change initiative. It is better if these are things that people like, value and would be unhappy to lose. Make a note of everything, no matter how small.
Step 3.
Now discuss and make a note of anything that will be ADDED as a result of the change you are considering. These things will be TOTALLY NEW and therefore more tricky for people to accommodate. Your change will stand more chance of success is these new things are clearly beneficial or exciting, but they must at least be clear.
Step 4.
Now discuss and record what you believe will need to be MODIFIED as a result of this change. These are things that are already being done to a greater or lesser degree, but will need to be done MORE or LESS or a LITTLE DIFFERENTLY.
Step 5.
Now discuss and record what you believe will STOP completely with your proposed change. It is better if these things are parts of the job that people don’t like. If your change can be shown to remove things that irritate and frustrate people, they will be more likely to support it.
Step 6.
As a team, take a holistic view of the change based on your SAMS profile .
Discuss the balance between what's totally new and what will stay the same. If you get the balance wrong, the wheels of change can fall off!
How complex are the modifications that are needed?
Are people emotionally attached to to some of the things you want them to stop doing with this change.
What level of resistance of support do you anticipate?
A key thing to bear in mind with change is that it is much easier to sell and implement when it looks like this.

Same / Add / Modify / Stop
Tip
Do you need to go back and recalibrate the change?
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