Change Management online courses with exams

Change Management online certification

By applying effective change management practices, organizations can respond to individual changes more efficiently and increase their capacity to approach multiple changes to business strategy at once.

Research shows that effective application of change management on a project significantly increases the success rate.

Effective change management practices help reduce the negative impact on changes in your organization, be it strategic, tactical, leadership, or technology-based. Change managers must address how these changes affect people, protocols, and performance.

APMG Change Management certifications (developed alongside the Change Management Institute) offers 2 levels of qualifications:

Foundation certification

This certification tests candidates on their knowledge of the basic principles for achieving successful transformation. It is suitable for those actively involved in transformation projects or programs and those wishing to begin a career as a dedicated change manager.

Practitioner certification

This certification tests candidates on their knowledge and ability to apply advanced change management methods and tools used to drive organizational change. It builds on concepts first covered in the Foundation certification.

This certification is suited to experienced change managers, those who have already completed a Foundation certification and those wishing to pursue and advanced qualification in change management.

The Effective Change Managers’ Handbook

Change Management course textbook

The Effective Change Manager’s Handbook covers the full scope of the Change Management Institute’s (CMI) Body of Knowledge.

The Handbook informs the Change Management course syllabus and learning outcomes. It is a standard for Change Management best-practices.

The Handbook combines well-known change theories with proven best-practice change approaches and techniques, it also provides a range of practical tools to help managers effectively govern change programs.

Learning outcomes and course syllabus

The Foundation and Practitioner certification exams are based on theories and best practices outlined in the Change Management Institute's Body of Knowledge (CMBoK).

A summary of topics covered is shown below. For more information, please refer to the relevant course page.

Change Management Foundation

• Understanding the process of organizational change.
• How to build a change management team.
• How to help people adapt.
• How to keep people motivated.
• Types of change processes.
• Stakeholder engagement.

Change Management Practitioner

• How to use change management frameworks to plan for change.
• Understanding organizational models.
• How to support and sustain change processes.
• Preparing for change initiatives.
• Enhancing the performance of change management teams.
• Preparing staff to receive change.
• Establishing the roles, skills and activities which enable leaders to manage transformation.

What is Change Management?

Organizational change management comes in many shapes and forms. Adopting new processes within a single work area is a change project. A merger of two multi-national businesses is also a change program on a huge scale. In all organizational change initiatives however, best practice frameworks, tools and techniques will aid change professionals in moving the organisation to its new state.

Benefits of change management

Change management reduces the risk that a new system or practice will be rejected by employees of the enterprise. Effective change management reduces the negative impacts of change, helps enterprises adapt to necessary changes and operate more efficiently in the long run.

When are change managers needed?

Change managers are needed whenever an organization undertakes a project or program that risks interrupting day-to-day operations. Many jobs require individuals or groups to work in tandem to achieve a single goal.

Over time, employees may become accustomed to certain tools (even inefficient ones) and even simple changes may disrupt workflow as staff learn to adapt to new software or process.

Change managers must enable everyone involved to gain a deeper understanding of the effects the change will have on their role and the business, help them prepare for change, and finally help them adapt to changes when they are implemented.

What are the requirements for change management success?

Effective change requires skilled change managers capable of understanding business culture, language, and behaviour, and aligning current culture with the planned change.

Change management teams use every opportunity to reinforce positive outcomes by helping those most readily effected by change. Individuals must be willing to adopt new behaviours and approaches, this can be difficult.

Most people only accept changes that make sense and improve their job content or their work environment. Change managers not only serve to govern change, but mentor and educate staff in their new roles. In doing so, they help businesses and employees more quickly realize the value added by positive changes to business practice.

Driving successful change

Driving successful change requires an intimate knowledge of the risks associated with change, and an understanding of how to counteract said features.

Some challenges that change managers must overcome in their role include:

Change management is not predictable

While changes may seem rational and productive on paper, people can be unpredictable. Changes that produce positive results in one group may be ineffective with another. Approaches that resonate with some might not with others. In this, there are several factors including age, infrastructure and a host of other factors that must be taken into consideration.

Change management requires constant communication

Change is personal – sometimes people whose jobs have been transformed need an extended period to train and adjust before receiving the benefits of positive change. Before that happens however, they may become frustrated or dissatisfied with their work. Change managers need to interact one-on-one with the individuals who will need to accept change.

Change management needs to address the work culture

Work culture might be determined by nationality, industry or more. Knowing how work culture effects change and planning accordingly is essential. For example:

Communication style – Do employees communicate directly or indirectly? Are staff free to air their grievances freely?

Deadlines – Are deadlines strict and punctual? Do meetings start and end when arranged or is the work environment less formal and concerned with time?

Autonomy – Are low-level staff free to make certain decisions without conferring with higher-ups? Or does everything need to be pre-approved with a direct superior? How important is organizational hierarchy?

Is change management an afterthought? – Is change management integrated with other business efforts or is it seen more as a ‘clean-up?’ Change management efforts need to be tightly coupled with business initiatives which can be very difficult in certain industries.

Careers in change management

Increasing demand for skilled change management practitioners

In response to rapidly improving technology, many organizations require the skills of knowledgeable change managers to implement frequent, enterprise-level change. There is a growing need for intermediary managerial positions such as project managers and change managers as more and more businesses realize the value that such positions can deliver.

Natural career progression

Industry experience and knowledge are essential to become an effective change manager. A such, the role of a change manager is fast becoming the natural career path progression for many professionals who wish to use their experience to further their career.

Leadership

Change managers often serve in important leadership roles and are paid accordingly, this makes the position an attractive and practical way to increase your income.

Change management certification

Recognized change management certification is important as it demonstrates competence in change management practices and principles. Earning a change management qualification can greatly improve your marketability as a change manager, and make you stand out to recruiters and potential employers.

Change management in-house training

If your organization is undergoing transformation, consider equipping your staff with the necessary skills.

Contact us for more information about in-house Change Management training at your organization or call +44(0)207-149-5985.

Change Management FAQ

What is the cost of the Change Management training courses?

For latest prices, please refer to our course pages:

• APMG Change Management Foundation
• APMG Change Management Practitioner

Are exam fees included?

Yes. The exam fees are included in the price of all training. There are no hidden charges. Our courses come with everything you need to earn your desired qualification.

Additional software

Our online courses are compatible with all devices, no additional software or browser plugins are required.

To sit your exam, candidates require a stable internet connection and webcam (for invigilation purposes).