The Cycle of Discontent: A Case Study in Merger Dynamics

MassArt recently merged its Information Technology, Computer Arts, and Audio-Visual/Media Services departments. We will present the challenges we encountered (despite the college's best efforts for a smooth transition) and the strategies we used to address them to meet stated objectives during the merger. We will discuss the evaluation process and discovery of underlying barriers to communication, the five essential elements of complex change, the structure of creative problem solving and shaping the life cycle of the project, shifting group discussion from debate to dialogue.