Change Management Plan: Microsoft Teams

Tags Teams

Project Overview

Project Name: Implementation of MS Teams

Purpose of Change: Provide a full featured video conferencing solution that replaces Zoom's functionality at a lower cost.

Expected Outcomes: Reduce software expense and standardize on a Microsoft solution that will integrate with future projects like implementing Teams Phone.

Define Success

Success Criteria: Users are able to utilize MS Teams for their video conferencing tasks

  • Ad hoc meetings
  • Scheduled meetings
  • Meeting links are created in Google Calendar when the meeting is scheduled
  • Online classes
  • Recording meetings and classes
  • Class recordings are imported into Panopto and available from Moodle

Stakeholders Involved

  • EMU IT
  • EMU Employees
  • EMU Students 
  • MEA
  • Bluffton
  • CMU
  • Hesston
  • AMBS

 

Change Impact Assessment

Impacted Groups

  • EMU IT
  • EMU Employees
  • EMU Students 
  • MEA
  • Bluffton
  • CMU
  • Hesston
  • AMBS

 

Change Characteristics: All Zoom functionality will be replaced with MS Teams. This technological change will impact all EMU employees and students. 

 

Change Management Strategy

Key Messages

  • MS Teams has all the key functionality currently provided by Zoom
  • EMU IT will partner with users to learn MS Teams and assist with developing new workflows
  • This change fits into a larger IT strategy of utilizing MS Teams for phone and chat. This will become a full featured collaboration platform. 

Engagement Tactics

  • Email announcement
  • Regular emails with updates until Jul 1, 2025
  • Weekly Teams Thursday sessions for employees to learn and explore functionality. Some will have a focus on online learning.

Communications Plan

Communication Objectives

  • Inform stakeholders of the change
  • Provide details on how and why the change is being implemented
  • Alleviate stakeholder anxiety about the change
  • How this change fits into IT’s larger strategy 

Target Audiences: EMU employees

Communication Channels: Email, Moodle blog, EMU status blog, HelpZone

 

Resistance Management

Potential Resistance Points

  • Faculty are already stretched using technology in their teaching, this is another tool they will need to learn.
  • Zoom has been used at EMU for over 10 years 
  • Many users will be resistant to change regardless of the actual change.

 Strategies to Prevent and Address Resistance

  • Communicate the change early to give users time to process the change.
  • Provide a mechanism for feedback and questions
  • Communicate how and why the change is being made
  • Provide training opportunities
  • Provide documentation on using MS Teams
  • Provide early access to MS Teams for users to become familiar with using it

 

Implementation Timeline

Milestone

  • Inform MEA, Bluffton, Hesston, CMU, AMBS with details on how to proceed if they want to continue using Zoom - DONE
  • Notify Zoom that EMU will not be renewing the licenses - DONE
  • Determine if any Zoom Webinar licenses will be needed - DONE
  • Configure MS Teams settings - DONE
  • Develop documentation for online & classroom instruction - In Process
  • Setup Teams/Panopto integration in Test - DONE
  • Setup Teams/Panopto integration in Production - Done on the test server.
  • Ensure HIPPA compliance for Counseling Services, Health Services, MAC, Athletic Training - In Process
  • Go Live - Jul 1, 2025

Responsiblities

  • Communication: IT Director
  • Documentation: User Services
  • Settings & Policies: Systems Engineer
  • Licensing: IT Director
  • Security & Compliance: IT Director & Systems Engineer
  • User Support & Training: User Services & IT Director

Monitoring & Evaluation

Performance Metrics

  • Helpdesk Contacts (tickets, emails, phone calls)

 Feedback Mechanisms

  • HelpZone Form
  • Emails to Helpdesk

Sustain Outcomes

Sustainment Strategies:

  • Refine HelpZone articles
  • Periodic training sessions
  • Communication of Tips & Tricks

Ownership Transfer:

User Services will be the service owner upon implementation