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Change Management: A Project Manager’s guide to success

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In the APM research series, APM states that Change Management isn’t just an added extra for running their projects, its actually ‘essential’ if projects are to succeed. So much time, effort and resources are spent on getting projects under budget and over the line in time but, without proper integration of the change, much of this is wasted. In support of this APMG V3 Change Management syllabus, ‘Change Journey framework’ states that 72% of Uk projects fail without proper Change Management integration.

How project managers can make change stick

The V3 Change Management framework emphasises that ‘projects using structured Change Management Tools need to address both the "change" and "transition" states simultaneously.’ Assessing this using the ‘Change Impact and Readiness Assessment’ (CIRA) is essential to gauge whether the project will success. How is this done?

1. Build a team that embraces change

Change Agent Network! This element focuses on the internal capabilities of influential people within the teams and applying a "Change Equation" (D x V x F > R) - demonstrating how Dissatisfaction, Vision, and First steps must overcome Resistance.

2. Stakeholders will be the make or break. Take them with you

V3 syllabus advises that there should be clear stakeholder engagement strategies. The efficient project manager needs to know these. It introduces a ‘stakeholder radar’ concept which gives guidance on identifying and managing different stakeholder groups. APM identified stakeholder engagement as the top success factor for projects. Stakeholders being those people that are affected by the change and not simply those that are in charge of it. 

3. Change is emotional. The human element

The role of the project manager is often thought of in terms of as leadership and analytical skills combined. But projects bring change and change is always emotional, whether this is positive or negative emotions. Everyone will adapt and accept the change at a different pace and with a different outlook and the project manager that bears this in mind the greatest and gives those affected by the change a voice stands in the strongest position.

The Change Curve Model

The ‘change curve’ model helps give both project and change managers the insight into how people transition through the change and this understanding will greatly enhance communication to teams.

Staying ahead of the change curve

Although project and change managers are often considered to be working to different objectives, Change Management V3 suggests that more integration would benefit project success.

V3 introduces the ‘Change Plan Framework’ which provides a structured approach to planning and executing change initiatives. As the V3 syllabus states: "Successful change is not just about following a process - it's about understanding and influencing human behaviour in a structured way." This insight has transformed how UK organisations approach project-driven change.

How AI Tools Like ChatGPT Are Transforming Change and Project Management

Whether you're planning a stakeholder engagement campaign or developing a Change Management Plan Framework, AI can drastically increase the speed, consistency and insight of any project and change plan. Here's how:

Faster Decision-Making: Analyse large volumes of data quickly. Make decisions based on patterns and risks.

• Stakeholder Communications, Streamlined: Draft key messages, FAQs, and email campaigns for different stakeholder groups becomes quicker and more consistent when supported by AI content-generation tools.

• On-the-Fly Change Impact Analysis: Tools like ChatGPT can assist with generating tailored impact assessments using models like CIRA (Change Impact and Readiness Assessment), helping teams visualise gaps and readiness across departments.

• Personalised Learning Support: During the "Learning Dip" period, AI can act as a just-in-time learning coach, answering team questions, reinforcing training, and building confidence during transitions.

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