Kurt Lewin's Three-Step Model of Planned Change

Planned change is a systematic process designed to help organizations transition from their current state to a desired future state. The question asks about the originator of a specific model for this process. Several management and quality experts have contributed significantly to organizational theory, but the widely recognized three-step model of planned change is attributed to Kurt Lewin.

Understanding Kurt Lewin's Change Model

Kurt Lewin, a physicist and social psychologist, developed a simple yet effective three-stage model to explain how change occurs in organizations. This model breaks down the change process into manageable steps:

Step 1: Unfreeze

The initial stage involves preparing the organization for change. In this phase, existing norms, routines, and structures that might resist the change are challenged or dismantled. The goal of Unfreeze is to help individuals and the organization recognize the need for change and become open to new ideas. This often involves increasing the awareness of the benefits of change and the drawbacks of maintaining the status quo.

Step 2: Change (or Move)

This is the core stage where the actual transition takes place. During the Change phase, new attitudes, values, and behaviors are introduced and implemented. Lewin stressed that this step should be carefully managed, providing support to individuals as they navigate the transition. This might involve training, implementing new procedures, or adopting new technologies.

Step 3: Refreeze

The final stage, Refreeze, aims to stabilize the organization in its new state after the change has been implemented. The objective is to reinforce the newly adopted behaviors and practices, making the change permanent and preventing a relapse into the old ways. This involves integrating the changes into the organizational culture and systems, ensuring they become the new norm.

Contextualizing Lewin's Contribution

Kurt Lewin's model is foundational in the study of organizational development and change management. While other management thinkers have proposed alternative or extended models, Lewin's three-step framework remains a key concept taught in management and psychology programs.

• Peter Drucker is renowned for his contributions to modern management theory, including Management by Objectives (MBO).
• William Edward Deming is famous for his work in quality management and the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle.
• Kaizen is a Japanese philosophy centered on continuous, incremental improvement, often involving all employees.

Therefore, the three-step model of planned change is credited to Kurt Lewin.