Fostering engagement and dealing with stress in projects that effect change

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the factors that can contribute to successful management of these issues by project managers. Frequently, projects involve significant change efforts. To achieve project success, project managers must have the skills and understanding to manage the personnel issues related to change and stress related to change.

By reviewing the definitive literature related to change management, the author provides some criteria for project managers to consider as they foster engagement and manage stress related to change in projects.

There are three primary strategies project managers can use to successfully manage both engagement and stress in projects that involve significant change efforts.

While the issues related to change management have been discussed generally, the application of these theories and practices to project management has not been extensively explored in the literature. This article provides a general overview of the major theories in direct relationship to project management.