Organisational change management CIPM

Planning, designing and implementing activities to transition the organisation and people to the required future state.

Levels of responsibility for this skill

Updates for SFIA 9

There is an updated version of this skill for SFIA 9.
Theme(s) influencing the updates for this skill: Making SFIA easier to consume (enhance readability/guidance/descriptions), Making SFIA easier to consume (new levels).
New level 2 added to support entry-level roles.
Readability improvements have been made to levels 3 and 6.
You can move to SFIA 9 when you are ready - SFIA 8 skill descriptions will still be available to use.
Previous SFIA assessments or skills mapping are not impacted by this change.

Guidance notes

Activities may include — but are not limited to:

developing a business change implementation plan to identify required changes to processes, procedures, systems, structures, ways of working
using a structured process and set of tools for leading the people side of change
implementing organisational change management practices to support iterative/agile working
assessing change readiness and capacity including — but not limited to — planning around key business cycles, selecting appropriate customers for migration
assessing and developing change management capabilities
engagement and tailored communication with stakeholders and everyone impacted by the change
monitoring the impact of the change management plan and sustaining and embedding change
coaching change sponsors.

Understanding the responsibility levels of this skill

Where lower levels are not defined...

Specific tasks and responsibilities are not defined because the skill requires a higher level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in decision-making than is typically expected at these levels. You can use the essence statements to understand the generic responsibilities associated with these levels.

Where higher levels are not defined...

Responsibilities and accountabilities are not defined because these higher levels involve strategic leadership and broader organisational influence that goes beyond the scope of this specific skill. See the essence statements.

Developing skills and demonstrating responsibilities related to this skill

The defined levels show the incremental progression in skills and responsibilities.

Where lower levels are not defined...

You can develop your knowledge and support others who do have responsibility in this area by:

Learning key concepts and principles related to this skill and its impact on your role
Performing related skills (see the related SFIA skills)
Supporting others who are performing higher level tasks and activities

Where higher levels are not defined...

You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.

Click to learn why SFIA skills are not defined at all 7 levels.

Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.

Level 1

Level 1 - Follow: Essence of the level: Performs routine tasks under close supervision, follows instructions, and requires guidance to complete their work. Learns and applies basic skills and knowledge.

Level 2

Level 2 - Assist: Essence of the level: Provides assistance to others, works under routine supervision, and uses their discretion to address routine problems. Actively learns through training and on-the-job experiences.

Organisational change management: Level 3

Level 3 - Apply: Essence of the level: Performs varied tasks, sometimes complex and non-routine, using standard methods and procedures. Works under general direction, exercises discretion, and manages own work within deadlines. Proactively enhances skills and impact in the workplace.

Follows standard techniques to investigate and analyse the size, nature and impact of changes to operational activities.

Contributes to the recommendations for change management plans and actions.

Supports implementation and engages with stakeholders under direction.

Organisational change management: Level 4

Level 4 - Enable: Essence of the level: Performs diverse complex activities, supports and guides others, delegates tasks when appropriate, works autonomously under general direction, and contributes expertise to deliver team objectives.

Conducts readiness assessments to assess the size, nature and impact of organisational change.

Defines tactics to use considering the challenges to be addressed. Provides guidance and makes suggestions to support individuals responsible for operational implementation of change management activities.

Gathers feedback to analyse the impact and effectiveness of the change management activities being deployed. Takes corrective action as required.

Develops and communicates tailored change management plans. Establishes and builds relationships with the project sponsors and key stakeholders.

Organisational change management: Level 5

Level 5 - Ensure, advise: Essence of the level: Provides authoritative guidance in their field and works under broad direction. Accountable for delivering significant work outcomes, from analysis through execution to evaluation.

Develops the change management approach and a change management plan in collaboration with sponsors, users and project teams.

Creates and implements action plans to ensure everything is ready for the change before going live. Acquires change management resources and develops their capabilities to deliver the required changes.

Gathers feedback to allow timely improvements to the change management plan and approach. Assesses risks and takes preventative action.

Develops and communicates tailored change management plans for senior stakeholder groups. Provides guidance and makes suggestions to support change sponsors.

Organisational change management: Level 6

Level 6 - Initiate, influence: Essence of the level: Has significant organisational influence, makes high-level decisions, shapes policies, demonstrates leadership, promotes organisational collaboration, and accepts accountability in key areas.

Defines and communicates the approach for change management for a significant part of the organisation.

Initiates, plans and leads strategic, large and complex change management initiatives. Provides guidance and raises awareness to help change leaders demonstrate effective behaviours to deliver organisational change.

Establishes feedback processes and leads analyses of change management successes.

Enables continual improvements to change management methodology, tools and training necessary to enhance the maturity across the organisation.

Level 7

Level 7 - Set strategy, inspire, mobilise: Essence of the level: Operates at the highest organisational level, determines overall organisational vision and strategy, and assumes accountability for overall success.