Your Project Just Found Its Secret Twin
READ TIME - 4 MINUTES
"Wait, what do you mean Finance is also implementing a workflow tool?"
Rachel stared at her coffee cup, trying to process what she'd just heard.
Apparently, the Finance team had secured funding for their own automation project. With striking similarities to the one her team was already six months into delivering.
Her mind raced through the implications.
Two different tools. Two different vendors. Same core problem they were trying to solve.
"And how long has this been in play?" she asked carefully.
"Oh, about three months now. We're actually looking at going live around the same time as your project."
If you've just discovered your project has an unexpected twin, here are three change management strategies to help your stakeholders navigate this situation:
1. The "Change Impact Review"
Understanding how this discovery affects your stakeholders' change journey is crucial.
This isn't about the technical overlap (which decision makers will also need to deal with!) - it's about how two concurrent changes might impact your people.
How to do it:
Map out where both changes affect the same stakeholder groups
Identify potential change fatigue risks
Document different messaging stakeholders are receiving
Review training and support plans from both initiatives
Assess readiness implications of overlapping changes
Note where changes might conflict or cause confusion
Pro tip: Focus particularly on frontline managers - they'll be trying to support their teams through both changes.
2. The "Stakeholder Sense-Making Strategy"
Help your stakeholders process this situation and maintain confidence in the change journey.
Right now your role is to provide clarity and support while decisions about the path forward are being made.
How to do it:
Create clear, honest messaging about what's known and what's still being decided
Develop talking points for leaders and managers
Set up additional support channels for affected teams
Maintain regular check-ins with key stakeholder groups
Keep your change network informed and equipped to handle questions
Document emerging concerns and resistance themes
Pro tip: Pay special attention to informal leaders and key influencers in the space - they're crucial for maintaining stakeholder confidence during uncertainty.
3. The "Change Integration Framework"
It’s highly likely that your change project and its twin will be combined in some way. Prepare to support people through whatever integration decision is made.
This ensures you're ready to adapt your change approach once leadership determines the path forward.
How to do it:
Review and adjust your change strategy for different scenarios
Identify where change activities could be combined or streamlined
Map out revised stakeholder engagement approaches
Update your change impact assessment
Adjust your change readiness metrics
Prepare revised communication narratives
Pro tip: Focus on maintaining change momentum while being flexible enough to adapt your approach as decisions are made.
Look, discovering overlapping change initiatives isn't ideal, but it's also not unusual in large organisations.
Your role isn't to solve the project overlap - it's to support your stakeholders (including the leadership team) through the uncertainty and transition.
Remember: focus on what you can control - keeping stakeholders informed, supported, and engaged while the path forward becomes clear.
Next Tuesday we’re sharing what we do when you get stakeholders who agreed in the workshop but nothing's changed.
Don't miss it!
See you then,
Team EVER
PS: Someone pass this on to you?
Nice, you’ve got cool friends! Subscribe here to snag your own practical change insights every Tuesday.