Change management correlation results

Correlation 1 - change management effectiveness and meeting project objectives

Figure 1 shows the correlation of change management effectiveness to a project's ability to meet business objectives. The graphic shows that 94% of those teams that used very or extremely effective change management methods met or exceeded their project objectives. On the other hand, only 11% of project teams with ineffective change management managed to meet or exceed their objectives.

Figure 1 - Correlation of change management effectiveness and meeting objectives

What this means to you: this graph presents a strong case for applying effective change management on the business changes in your organization. This is the type of evidence that can be used with business leaders and sponsors, as well as project team members, to build support and commitment to managing the people-side of change. If your goal is to meet or exceed your project objectives, then change management practices increase your probability of success.

Correlation 2 - change management effectiveness and the use of a methodology

Figure 2 shows the correlation of using an specific change management methodology and the effectiveness of the change management efforts. In two separate questions, participants were asked if they used a particular methodology (Yes/No) and how effective their change management efforts were (very ineffective, ineffective, moderately effective, very effective, extremely effective).

Figure 2 - Correlation of change management effectiveness and use of a methodology

What this means to you: this analysis begins to highlight the importance of using a structured approach to manage the people-side of change. One of the other biggest findings in the 2005 report was a dramatic increase in the percentage of participants using a change management methodology. Change management is moving from soft, fuzzy, ad hoc approaches to structured and systematic methodologies for building buy-in and overcoming resistance. For more information on Prosci's research-based methodology, see the hardcopy Change Management Toolkit or the online version Change Management Pilot.

Summary

Building a 'case for change management' based on hard numbers and data is difficult. One of the most common objections to investing in change management is that the returns are difficult to quantify and measure. The data presented above draws on data from hundreds of organizations all over the world. The resounding message is that using a methodology makes your change management efforts more effective, and that effective change management results in projects meeting or exceeding their objectives.