In this episode of Tea Time, Amanda Prochaska, Founder and…
When 8 Weeks Is All You Have
Traditional change management takes 6-18 months. But what happens when you have just 8 weeks to implement new systems and get teams fully adopted? Waterfall approaches fail, and half-measures create chaos.
In this episode, Amanda Prochaska introduces Rapid Adoption Enablement (RAE) – a game-changing methodology designed specifically for lightning-fast implementations that actually stick.
The Speed Challenge
The Reality: Agile approach to change management results in 98% rate of success & 60% more profit, but most organizations still use traditional methods that can't keep pace with today's rapid digital transformations.
The Stakes: In the wake of Covid-19, organizations are fundamentally rethinking... change isn't about fine-tuning — it's existential. When business survival depends on speed, traditional change management won't cut it.
The Opportunity: 63% of Agile practitioners say they manage changing priorities better than during their pre-Agile days by embracing iterative, feedback-driven approaches.
What You'll Learn
Why Traditional Methods Fail in Fast Sprints
Waterfall's Fatal Flaw: With an agile deployment, the solution is designed at a high level, but we don't know all the details upfront. Traditional change management assumes you know the end state—but in 8-week sprints, you're building the plane while flying it.
The Agile Advantage: Changes are not rolled out on a grand scale, but rather in small sprints that last just a few weeks. RAE aligns change activities with this rapid iteration cycle.
The 4 Key Pillars of RAE
1. Mission & Measurement
Clear Purpose, Fast Feedback:
- Define success metrics that can be measured weekly, not quarterly
- Create shared understanding of "why" without lengthy communication campaigns
- Establish baseline measurements before implementation begins
2. Tiger Teams
Small, Agile, Empowered Groups:
A tiger team is a team of specialists assembled to work on a specific goal, or to solve a particular problem. In RAE, these become your change acceleration engines.
Tiger Team Best Practices:
- Tiger teams should be small – typically 5-7 cross-functional experts
- Give them the leeway to bypass unnecessary approvals and red tape
- Team members work together in one team and can leverage each other's distinct skills
Why They Work: Cross-functional collaboration brings multiple teams together from within your organization, working towards a shared goal. This enables teams to connect silos and overcome communication barriers.
3. Clear Communications
Daily 15-Minute Touchpoints & Live Dashboards:
Communication Hacks That Work:
- Encourage daily touchbases to give the team regular face time
- Real-time communication platforms: Tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams enable instant communication
- Real-time communication channel through Slack or a similar platform to make sure roadblocks can be addressed quickly
The 15-Minute Rule: Short, focused daily check-ins prevent small issues from becoming major roadblocks while maintaining momentum without meeting overload.
4. Frequent Feedback
Your Secret Weapon for Lasting Adoption:
Regular feedback loops... gives the team the opportunity to react rapidly and with flexibility – without being hampered by predetermined plans.
Feedback That Drives Results:
- Weekly pulse surveys to gauge adoption momentum
- Real-time usage analytics from new systems
- Rapid-cycle testing of training approaches
- Quick wins celebration to maintain energy
How RAE Works in Practice
Week 1-2: Foundation Sprint
- Assemble tiger teams with clear decision-making authority
- Establish baseline measurements and success metrics
- Launch daily communication rhythms
- Begin user feedback collection
Week 3-5: Acceleration Sprint
- Agile teams adapt their activities according to the outcomes of these discussions
- Rapid prototyping of training and support materials
- Continuous refinement based on early user experiences
- Scale successful approaches, abandon what's not working
Week 6-8: Momentum Sprint
- Full implementation with real-time course correction
- Intensive feedback loops to ensure adoption sticks
- Documentation of lessons learned for future rapid implementations
- Transition to business-as-usual operations
The Psychology of Rapid Change
Why Speed Can Actually Help: Continuous improvement also has the benefit of transforming the perception of change from something big and potentially scary that happens rarely to something manageable and normal.
Avoiding Burnout: Frequent feedback isn't just about improvement—it's about sustainability. Teams know their input matters and see immediate results, preventing the exhaustion that comes from feeling unheard.
Building Change Capability: Agile change management and is willing to risk, practice, and drive change from a visionary perspective. RAE builds organizational muscle for future rapid transformations.
When to Use RAE
Perfect Scenarios:
- Software implementation with hard deadlines
- Crisis response requiring new processes
- Competitive pressure demanding fast market response
- Digital transformation where delay means lost opportunity
Key Success Factors:
- Leadership commitment to decision-making speed
- Access to cross-functional expertise
- Willingness to iterate and adjust approaches
- Clear consequences for maintaining status quo
Beyond the 8 Weeks
Sustaining Success: Agile transformation is more of a continuous, feedback-driven process that contributes to the enhancement and ongoing development of the entire organization.
RAE doesn't end at implementation—it builds the foundation for ongoing agile change capability that serves organizations long after the initial sprint.
The Bottom Line
When traditional change management is too slow and ad hoc approaches create chaos, RAE provides the structured-yet-flexible framework for rapid system adoption that actually works.
Whether you're leading a critical software rollout, responding to market disruption, or racing to meet regulatory deadlines, Amanda's RAE methodology keeps your people engaged and your projects on track.
Ready to Move at the Speed of Business?
Learn Amanda's proven framework for getting teams to adopt new systems in 8 weeks or less—without sacrificing quality or burning out your people.
[Watch the Full Episode →]
Leading rapid digital transformations in your organization? Wonder Services specializes in helping teams implement change at speed without losing people along the way. Connect with us to explore how RAE can transform your approach to fast-paced projects.
