“Behind every successful project, there need to be equally happy and motivated end users.”
That’s what Ann Karblom, Senior Business Consultant at Implema, believes. She has extensive experience helping organizations succeed with change. In this interview, she shares her insights on why Change Management is a key to sustainable development – and why it’s often overlooked.
Change is about more than implementation
In many projects, the focus is entirely on technical implementation – with timelines, budgets, and features at the center. But according to Ann, it’s a common mistake to consider the change complete just because the system has been implemented.
– It doesn’t matter how innovative the solution is if it’s not being used, she says. Change becomes reality only when people understand, accept, and actually use the new way of working – and start breaking old habits. This is where change management comes in as a crucial, but often underestimated, success factor.
What does change management mean in practice?
Change Management is about considering the human side of change – understanding behaviors, creating motivation, and providing the right support at the right time.
– It’s about not just driving projects based on technical capabilities and features – but also working with the “people side” and the end users’ experience. When users are involved early, understand why the change is happening, and receive the right support, the chances of success increase dramatically, Ann explains.
Three keys to successful change
Ann highlights three concrete principles that she always works with in her projects:
1. Involve users early and continuously
– Participation creates ownership. When people get to be involved from the beginning, resistance decreases and engagement increases.
2. Communicate clearly and repeatedly
– It’s not enough to inform – you must communicate why the change is happening. Only then do people start to embrace it.
3. Provide the right support at the right time
– Support can be training, coaching, or just being available. But timing is crucial – the support must come when it’s needed most.
From delivery to real value
Completing a project is just the starting point for the new way of working. For Ann, it’s only when the solution is fully utilized that it begins to create business value – that’s when you can truly say the project has succeeded.
💡 Tips from Ann for your next project:
Next time you start a project – don’t just ask yourself what needs to be done, but also how it will land with those who will actually have to live with the result.
About Ann Karblom
Title: Senior Consultant & Business Advisor, Implema
Areas of expertise: Change management, project management, business development
Background: Systems analyst and economist with years of experience from change projects in various industries, often at the intersection of IT and finance
Driving force: Getting people and technology to work hand in hand
