Change management focuses on guiding the people side of change within an organisation. Whether introducing new structures, workflows, or technologies, the true success of any transformation lies in how well employees adapt. A company can implement the most advanced systems, but it will only reach its full potential if its people embrace the changes.

Change management is both a process and a competency that helps organisations implement change smoothly and achieve desired outcomes. It involves structured strategies, tools, and techniques designed to assist employees in adopting and integrating new ways of working, ensuring the change sticks and delivers measurable results.

The Change Management Process

Change management is a structured sequence of steps that help guide team members through the process of adapting to change on any project. One well-known framework is Prosci’s research-based methodology, which divides change management into three key phases:

1. Preparing for Change: This involves readiness assessments to develop a tailored strategy for the change.
2. Managing Change: This phase integrates five essential change management plans into the overall project plan.
3. Reinforcing Change: This phase ensures the change is sustained through compliance audits and reinforcement activities.

Building Change Management Competency

Successful change management depends on building competencies at all levels of the organisation. For senior leaders, this means being effective sponsors of change—demonstrating commitment and aligning the organisation toward the transformation. For front-line managers, it’s about coaching their teams through the challenges of change and building resilience.

While change management competencies vary based on role, the overall success of a business transformation depends on embedding change management skills across all levels.

Effective change management isn’t just about communication or training—it's a comprehensive process that integrates tools and strategies for both individual and organisational success.

Why Change Management Matters

Here are three primary reasons why change management is critical for all places of work:

1. Organisational change happens one person at a time.
2. It increases the likelihood of success.
3. Poorly managed change is costly.