Change management: models, steps, and best practicesProject management
Key takeaways
Effective change management blends clear planning with sustained support for adoption.Advance your career with PRINCE2 Practitioner
- Use structured frameworks such as Kotter, Lewin, or ADKAR to sequence activities and maintain momentum.Prepare for the Practitioner exam with accredited training, whether you’re progressing from Foundation or starting both levels together.
- Visible leadership sponsorship and consistent communication reduce uncertainty and resistance.
- Engage stakeholders early, using influence and impact mapping to target effort where it matters most.
- Integrate change work with project delivery so training, readiness, risks, and benefits stay aligned.
- Measure adoption with KPIs and feedback, then reinforce new behaviours through governance, coaching, and policy.

What is change management?
Change management refers to the systematic process of planning, implementing, and overseeing organisational changes to achieve desired business outcomes.Delivery
Change management encompasses strategies, techniques, and tools that help organisations prepare for, execute, and sustain change, whether related to processes, technologies, culture, or organisational structure.
Effective change management seeks to minimise disruption, address resistance to change, and strengthen engagement among all stakeholders .Course
Importance of change management
Organisational change is inevitable as businesses adapt to evolving markets, technologies, and regulations. By using structured frameworks and engaging leadership, organisations can minimise risks, foster innovation, and achieve sustainable success.
Effective change managementExam ensures smooth transitions, maintains productivity during transformation, increases return on investment, and supports employee engagement .
Here are some reasons why change management is important.Reviews
External factors
External factors play a big role in organisational change . Globalisation and the rapid developments in new digital solutions are forcing organisations to respond. Ignoring such external factors is likely to jeopardise your organisation’s success.FAQs
Nokia was once the biggest mobile phone company in the world, but it almost went out of business. That’s because it didn’t keep up with changes in mobile technologies. As a result, Nokia’s products didn’t appeal to consumers, and its market share rapidly declined.
Making ideas succeed
Many organisations use change management methodologies to enable ideas to succeed. Working alongside project managersClick or scroll who deliver new capabilities into an organisation, Enrol on this coursechange managersPlease use the and change agents help ensure staff are able to fully utilise the new capabilities.region selector
Enabling cross-functional changes at the top of the website if you are purchasing from outside the UK.
Almost every functional unit within a modern organisation relies on change management to enable it to: Note: *All prices exclusive of VAT.
- Align the change plan to the business’s overall strategy.Choose how you want to study
- Improve internal and external services and requests.
- Track and resolve issues.Choose delivery format:
Engaging people with the change process
A key part of managing changeInstructor-led in an organisation is to engage those people affected by a change initiative. Staff will be involved in the change process eventually, therefore communicating and engaging with staff about a change plan early helps lay the groundwork for its later success.
Preparing for organisational transition
Change managersSelf-paced are often appointed to make organisational change go smoothly. They use change management frameworks to make changes such as:06 Jul - 09 Jul
- Restructuring job roles.
- Restructuring business processes.PRINCE2 Practitioner (with Foundation) course (Online)
- Implementing new technologies.
Decreasing resistance to a change initiative £1,899
Resistance is inevitable in any change initiative because people often find it unsettling being asked to work in new and different ways. So, change managers can often expect a denial reaction from staff. It takes time to overcome those reactions. When change managers£2,099 are transparent from day one, the less resistance they are likely to face.
Improving performance and productivityEnrol now
When an organisation adapts improved ways of working, it tends to increase productivity. At the same time, it encourages innovation. As a result, it guarantees improved performance and places an organisation in a healthier environment better able to succeed.
Reducing costs
When positive change is applied correctly, it helps to reduce waste and therefore reduce costs. Effective change management helps an organisation make smart choices. It increases productivity, decreases risks, and helps to improve the profitability of an organisation.
Change management principles
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- Process improvement : Focus on refining and optimising business processes.
- Proactive 06 Jul - 09 Julrisk management : Identify, assess, and mitigate potential challenges.PRINCE2 Practitioner (with Foundation) course (London)
- Continuous feedback and adaptation : Monitor outcomes and adjust strategies where necessary. £2,299
Change management processes
- Identify the need for changeEnrol now: Recognise drivers such as technological advancements, market shifts, or process inefficiencies.
- Define the vision and objectives : Set clear goals for what the change will achieve.
- Engage stakeholders : Involve key groups early to build support and address concerns.{"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"EducationEvent","name":"PRINCE2 Practitioner (with Foundation) course","startDate":"2026-07-06","endDate":"2026-07-09","description":"PRINCE2 Practitioner (with Foundation) course","url":"https://www.knowledgetrain.co.uk/project-management/prince2/prince2-course/prince2-practitioner","eventStatus":"EventScheduled","eventAttendanceMode":"OnlineEventAttendanceMode","audience":{"@type":"Audience","name":""},"aggregateRating":{"@type":"AggregateRating","ratingValue":"4.8","reviewCount":"227"},"location":{"@type":"VirtualLocation","url":"https://www.knowledgetrain.co.uk/project-management/prince2/prince2-course/prince2-practitioner"},"image":["https://www.knowledgetrain.co.uk/training-courses/res/logos/axelos-peoplecert-prince2-accredited-training-organisation-logo.svg"],"offers":{"@type":"Offer","url":"https://www.knowledgetrain.co.uk/project-management/prince2/prince2-course/prince2-practitioner","price":"2299.00","priceCurrency":"GBP","availability":"http://schema.org/InStock","validFrom":"2026-06-12"},"performer":{"@type":"Person","name":"Susan Tuttle"},"organizer":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Knowledge Train","url":"https://www.knowledgetrain.co.uk/project-management/prince2/prince2-course/prince2-practitioner"}}
- Develop a change management plan : Outline actions, timelines, resources, and communication strategies.
- Implement the change : Launch the initiative, ensuring leadership guidance and active support from 08 Jul - 09 Julchange agents .PRINCE2 Practitioner course (Online)
- Manage resistance to change : Identify the sources of resistance and address them through communication and support. £1,599
- Monitor progress and reinforce : Use metrics to track success and celebrate milestones.Enrol now
- Sustain change : Embed new ways of working into culture and practices for lasting results.
Change management frameworks
Several change management frameworks{"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"EducationEvent","name":"PRINCE2 Practitioner course","startDate":"2026-07-08","endDate":"2026-07-09","description":"PRINCE2 Practitioner course","url":"https://www.knowledgetrain.co.uk/project-management/prince2/prince2-course/prince2-practitioner","eventStatus":"EventScheduled","eventAttendanceMode":"OnlineEventAttendanceMode","audience":{"@type":"Audience","name":"< guide organisations through transitions. The most prominent include:p>
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Kotter’s 8-Step Process
- Establish a sense of urgency
- Form a guiding coalition
- Create a vision for change03 Aug - 06 Aug
- Communicate the vision
- Empower broad-based actionPRINCE2 Practitioner (with Foundation) course (Online)
- Generate short-term wins
- Consolidate gains and produce more change £2,099
- Anchor new approaches in the culture
Example: A retailer launching a new digital platform began with urgency around changing customer expectations, formed a cross-functional team, communicated a compelling vision, and celebrated early improvements to build momentum.Enrol now
Lewin’s Change Model
- Unfreeze : Prepare the organisation to accept change by challenging the status quo.
- Change : Transition through adoption of new behaviours and processes.{"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"EducationEvent","name":"PRINCE2 Practitioner (with Foundation) course","startDate":"2026-08-03","endDate":"2026-08-06","description":"PRINCE2 Practitioner (with Foundation) course","url":"https://www.knowledgetrain.co.uk/project-management/prince2/prince2-course/prince2-practitioner","eventStatus":"EventScheduled","eventAttendanceMode":"OnlineEventAttendanceMode","audience":{"@type":"Audience","name":"
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- Awareness of the need for change
- Desire to support the change05 Aug - 06 Aug
- Knowledge of how to changePRINCE2 Practitioner course (Online)
- Ability to implement change £1,599
- Reinforcement to sustain changeEnrol now
Example: In a software roll-out, employees learned why the upgrade was essential (Awareness, Desire), received hands-on workshops (Knowledge, Ability), and were rewarded for adoption (Reinforcement).
Change management challenges
Organisations frequently encounter obstacles when managing change. Common challenges include:
- Resistance to change : Employees may fear job loss, uncertainty, or increased responsibilities.{"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"EducationEvent","name":"PRINCE2 Practitioner course","startDate":"2026-08-05","endDate":"2026-08-06","description":"PRINCE2 Practitioner course","url":"https://www.knowledgetrain.co.uk/project-management/prince2/prince2-course/prince2-practitioner","eventStatus":"EventScheduled","eventAttendanceMode":"OnlineEventAttendanceMode","audience":{"@type":"Audience","name":"
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Solution : Communicate regularly, using clear and consistent messaging across channels.07 Sep - 10 Sep - Lack of leadership commitment : Without executive support, initiatives may falter.PRINCE2 Practitioner (with Foundation) course (Online)
Solution £2,099: Gain leadership buy-in and ensure visible commitment throughout the transition. - Cultural misalignmentEnrol now: Change may conflict with existing organisational culture.
Solution {"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"EducationEvent","name":"PRINCE2 Practitioner (with Foundation) course","startDate":"2026-09-07","endDate":"2026-09-10","description":"PRINCE2 Practitioner (with Foundation) course","url":"https://www.knowledgetrain.co.uk/project-management/prince2/prince2-course/prince2-practitioner","eventStatus":"EventScheduled","eventAttendanceMode":"OnlineEventAttendanceMode","audience":{"@type":"Audience","name":" <: Poor planning can delay or derail change projects.strong>PRINCE2 Practitioner
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Change management and business functions07 Sep - 10 Sep
- Organisational development : Change management techniques are often a core part of organisational development, aiming for long-term improvement in effectiveness.PRINCE2 Practitioner (with Foundation) course (London)
- Project management : Integrating change management with project management ensures project deliverables are adopted and sustained.
- Business transformation : Large-scale initiatives such as mergers or digitalisation depend on robust change management for success.{"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"EducationEvent","name":"PRINCE2 Practitioner (with Foundation) course","startDate":"2026-09-07","endDate":"2026-09-10","description":"PRINCE2 Practitioner (with Foundation) course","url":"https://www.knowledgetrain.co.uk/project-management/prince2/prince2-course/prince2-practitioner","eventStatus":"EventScheduled","eventAttendanceMode":"OnlineEventAttendanceMode","audience":{"@type":"Audience","name":""},"aggregateRating":{"@type":"AggregateRating","ratingValue":"4.8","reviewCount":"227"},"location":{"@type":"VirtualLocation","url":"https://www.knowledgetrain.co.uk/project-management/prince2/prince2-course/prince2-practitioner"},"image":["https://www.knowledgetrain.co.uk/training-courses/res/logos/axelos-peoplecert-prince2-accredited-training-organisation-logo.svg"],"offers":{"@type":"Offer","url":"https://www.knowledgetrain.co.uk/project-management/prince2/prince2-course/prince2-practitioner","price":"2299.00","priceCurrency":"GBP","availability":"http://schema.org/InStock","validFrom":"2026-06-12"},"performer":{"@type":"Person","name":"Susan Tuttle"},"organizer":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Knowledge Train","url":"https://www.knowledgetrain.co.uk/project-management/prince2/prince2-course/prince2-practitioner"}}
- Stakeholder engagement : Identifying and actively involving key stakeholders is crucial in minimising resistance and ensuring buy-in.
- Leadership : Strong, credible leadership drives the success of change initiatives through clear direction and support.09 Sep - 10 Sep
Change management best practices
- Establish clear communication strategiesPRINCE2 Practitioner course (Online) tailored to different stakeholder groups.
- Appoint dedicated change agents £1,599 to guide and support the change process.
- Use data to inform decisionsEnrol now and measure progress through key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Encourage feedback from employees at every stage.
- Provide training and support to build new skills and confidence.{"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"EducationEvent","name":"PRINCE2 Practitioner course","startDate":"2026-09-09","endDate":"2026-09-10","description":"PRINCE2 Practitioner course","url":"https://www.knowledgetrain.co.uk/project-management/prince2/prince2-course/prince2-practitioner","eventStatus":"EventScheduled","eventAttendanceMode":"OnlineEventAttendanceMode","audience":{"@type":"Audience","name":"
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|---|---|---|
| Kotter’s 8-Step | 8 outlined steps05 Oct - 08 Oct | Building urgency, vision, momentum |
| Lewin’s ChangePRINCE2 Practitioner (with Foundation) course (Online) | Unfreeze, Change, Refreeze | Preparing, transitioning, embedding £1,784 |
| ADKAR | Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, Reinforcement£2,099 | Individual adoption stages |
FAQs
What is change management and why is it important?
Change management is the process of guiding organisations, individuals, or teams through transitions. It is important because it enables smoother implementation of change, reduces resistance, and ensures that strategic objectives are achieved efficiently.07 Oct - 08 Oct
What are common change management frameworks?
The most common frameworks are Kotter’s 8-Step Process, Lewin’s Change, and the PRINCE2 Practitioner course (Online)ADKAR framework. Each provides a structured approach to planning and implementing change. £1,599
How do you overcome resistance to change?
Overcome resistance by communicating benefits clearly, involving stakeholders, offering support and training, addressing concerns promptly, and recognising employee contributions throughout the transition.Enrol now
What role do leaders play in change management?
Leaders set the direction, communicate the vision, build trust, allocate resources, and provide motivation and support to drive successful change.
How can employees be engaged during change initiatives?
Engage employees by involving them early, asking for input, addressing worries, providing training, celebrating successes, and continuously seeking feedback to make improvements.
