---
artifact_id: A39
name: Change Management Plan
template_version: "1.0.0"
status: "Template · Active"
category: Organizational Change Planning
authority: "PMBOK8 Guide §2.5 Stakeholders Performance Domain; §2.7 Delivery Performance Domain; Managing Change in Organizations Practice Guide"
source_type: synthesis
file_path: artifacts/governance/A39-change-management-plan-template.md
---

## [A39] — Change Management Plan | Template

> **Usage note:** This is a blank template. Replace every `[FIELD: ...]` placeholder with project-specific content. Static rules, ADKAR definitions, legends, and checklist items are pre-filled and must not be replaced with field placeholders. Remove this usage note before publishing the completed plan.

---

## Section 1 — Header / Identification

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Project Name | [FIELD: full project name] |
| Sponsor | [FIELD: name and title of the project sponsor] |
| Change Lead | [FIELD: name and title of the individual leading organisational change management for this project] |
| Project Manager | [FIELD: name of the project manager] |
| Date | [FIELD: date this plan was created or last updated, YYYY-MM-DD] |
| Document Version | [FIELD: e.g., 1.0] |
| Status | [FIELD: select from Draft / Active / Under Review / Superseded] |
| Linked Artifacts | A07 — Benefits Realisation Plan; A06 — Project Management Plan; A10 — Communications Management Plan; A12 — Issue and Action Item Log; A14 — Resource Management Plan; A17 — Training Plan; A29 — Stakeholder Engagement Plan; A02 — Project Schedule |

---

## Section 2 — Change Impact Assessment

| Stakeholder Group | Current State | Future State | Change Description | Impact Level | Readiness Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [FIELD: stakeholder group name, e.g., Finance Team] | [FIELD: description of how this group works today — processes, tools, behaviours] | [FIELD: description of how this group will need to work after the change] | [FIELD: concise description of the specific changes this group will experience] | [FIELD: select from Low / Medium / High / Critical] | [FIELD: description of the readiness level this group must reach before go-live] |
| [FIELD: stakeholder group] | [FIELD: current state] | [FIELD: future state] | [FIELD: change description] | [FIELD: select from Low / Medium / High / Critical] | [FIELD: readiness required] |
| [FIELD: stakeholder group] | [FIELD: current state] | [FIELD: future state] | [FIELD: change description] | [FIELD: select from Low / Medium / High / Critical] | [FIELD: readiness required] |
| [FIELD: stakeholder group] | [FIELD: current state] | [FIELD: future state] | [FIELD: change description] | [FIELD: select from Low / Medium / High / Critical] | [FIELD: readiness required] |

**Impact Level Definitions:**
- **Low** — minimal disruption; normal communications and support sufficient
- **Medium** — moderate disruption; targeted engagement and training required
- **High** — significant disruption to roles, processes, or ways of working; active sponsorship and structured support required
- **Critical** — transformational or highly disruptive change; change management must be a primary delivery workstream

---

## Section 3 — Stakeholder Readiness Assessment

**ADKAR Model Definitions:**
- **Awareness** — stakeholder understands why the change is happening
- **Desire** — stakeholder is motivated to support and participate in the change
- **Knowledge** — stakeholder knows how to change
- **Ability** — stakeholder has demonstrated the skills and behaviours required
- **Reinforcement** — mechanisms are in place to sustain the change over time

**Readiness Level Definitions (per ADKAR element):**
- **Not Ready** — element is not yet addressed or evidence shows significant gap
- **Developing** — element is partially addressed; engagement or development activities are underway
- **Ready** — element is sufficiently addressed for this stakeholder group at this point in the project

| Group | Awareness | Desire | Knowledge | Ability | Reinforcement | Overall Readiness | Gap Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [FIELD: stakeholder group] | [FIELD: select from Not Ready / Developing / Ready] | [FIELD: select from Not Ready / Developing / Ready] | [FIELD: select from Not Ready / Developing / Ready] | [FIELD: select from Not Ready / Developing / Ready] | [FIELD: select from Not Ready / Developing / Ready] | [FIELD: select from Not Ready / Developing / Ready] | [FIELD: brief summary of the most significant gaps for this group] |
| [FIELD: stakeholder group] | [FIELD: Not Ready / Developing / Ready] | [FIELD: Not Ready / Developing / Ready] | [FIELD: Not Ready / Developing / Ready] | [FIELD: Not Ready / Developing / Ready] | [FIELD: Not Ready / Developing / Ready] | [FIELD: Not Ready / Developing / Ready] | [FIELD: gap summary] |
| [FIELD: stakeholder group] | [FIELD: Not Ready / Developing / Ready] | [FIELD: Not Ready / Developing / Ready] | [FIELD: Not Ready / Developing / Ready] | [FIELD: Not Ready / Developing / Ready] | [FIELD: Not Ready / Developing / Ready] | [FIELD: Not Ready / Developing / Ready] | [FIELD: gap summary] |

---

## Section 4 — Change Adoption Strategy

| Narrative Element | Content |
|---|---|
| Overall Approach | [FIELD: describe the overarching change adoption strategy — the philosophy, sequencing logic, and primary mechanisms for building adoption across stakeholder groups] |
| Key Messages | [FIELD: list the two to five core messages that must be understood and accepted across all stakeholder groups — the "why this change, why now, what it means for you" narrative] |
| Critical Success Factors | [FIELD: list the conditions that must be true for the change management effort to succeed — e.g., visible and sustained sponsor engagement, adequate training resources, timely communications] |
| Assumptions | [FIELD: list the key assumptions underpinning this strategy — e.g., stakeholder groups will be receptive to structured engagement, executive sponsor will be available for key communications] |

---

## Section 5 — Resistance Management

| Resistance Category | Description | Likely Source Groups | Response Strategy | Owner | Monitoring Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [FIELD: resistance category, e.g., Loss of Control] | [FIELD: description of the nature and drivers of this resistance type] | [FIELD: stakeholder groups from Section 2 most likely to exhibit this resistance] | [FIELD: specific strategy to address this resistance, e.g., co-design sessions, executive messaging, pilot involvement] | [FIELD: role or name accountable for implementing the response strategy] | [FIELD: how resistance in this category will be identified and tracked, e.g., pulse surveys, team leader feedback, engagement metrics] |
| [FIELD: resistance category, e.g., Workload Concern] | [FIELD: description] | [FIELD: likely source groups] | [FIELD: response strategy] | [FIELD: owner] | [FIELD: monitoring method] |
| [FIELD: resistance category, e.g., Lack of Trust] | [FIELD: description] | [FIELD: likely source groups] | [FIELD: response strategy] | [FIELD: owner] | [FIELD: monitoring method] |

---

## Section 6 — Change Champions Model

| Role | Name / Position | Responsibilities | Coverage Area | Engagement Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [FIELD: champion role, e.g., Executive Sponsor Champion] | [FIELD: name or position of the individual in this role] | [FIELD: specific responsibilities of this champion, e.g., visible endorsement at team meetings, cascade key messages, surface resistance signals] | [FIELD: organisational area or stakeholder group this champion covers] | [FIELD: how often this champion engages on change activities, e.g., Weekly / Fortnightly / Monthly] |
| [FIELD: champion role, e.g., Team Change Champion] | [FIELD: name or position] | [FIELD: responsibilities] | [FIELD: coverage area] | [FIELD: engagement frequency] |
| [FIELD: champion role, e.g., Subject Matter Expert Champion] | [FIELD: name or position] | [FIELD: responsibilities] | [FIELD: coverage area] | [FIELD: engagement frequency] |

---

## Section 7 — Training and Capability-Building Plan

| Training ID | Target Group | Learning Need | Delivery Method | Content Owner | Scheduled Date | Completion Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [FIELD: unique training identifier, e.g., TRN-001] | [FIELD: target stakeholder group] | [FIELD: specific learning need, linked to ADKAR Knowledge or Ability gaps from Section 3] | [FIELD: delivery method, e.g., Instructor-Led / e-Learning / Workshop / Job Aid / Coaching] | [FIELD: role or name responsible for content development and delivery] | [FIELD: YYYY-MM-DD or planned date range] | [FIELD: how completion will be verified, e.g., Assessment pass rate ≥ 80%, attendance confirmed, practical demonstration] |
| [FIELD: unique training identifier] | [FIELD: target group] | [FIELD: learning need] | [FIELD: delivery method] | [FIELD: content owner] | [FIELD: YYYY-MM-DD] | [FIELD: completion criteria] |
| [FIELD: unique training identifier] | [FIELD: target group] | [FIELD: learning need] | [FIELD: delivery method] | [FIELD: content owner] | [FIELD: YYYY-MM-DD] | [FIELD: completion criteria] |
| [FIELD: unique training identifier] | [FIELD: target group] | [FIELD: learning need] | [FIELD: delivery method] | [FIELD: content owner] | [FIELD: YYYY-MM-DD] | [FIELD: completion criteria] |

---

## Section 8 — Change Communications Approach

| Audience | Key Message | Channel | Frequency | Owner | Reference to A10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [FIELD: audience, e.g., All Staff] | [FIELD: the key message to be communicated to this audience] | [FIELD: communication channel, e.g., All-staff email / Team briefing / Intranet article / Town hall] | [FIELD: e.g., Monthly / As milestones are reached / Weekly during cutover] | [FIELD: role or name responsible for delivering this communication] | [FIELD: reference to the corresponding communication item in A10 — Communications Management Plan, e.g., COMM-003] |
| [FIELD: audience] | [FIELD: key message] | [FIELD: channel] | [FIELD: frequency] | [FIELD: owner] | [FIELD: A10 reference] |
| [FIELD: audience] | [FIELD: key message] | [FIELD: channel] | [FIELD: frequency] | [FIELD: owner] | [FIELD: A10 reference] |
| [FIELD: audience] | [FIELD: key message] | [FIELD: channel] | [FIELD: frequency] | [FIELD: owner] | [FIELD: A10 reference] |

---

## Section 9 — Adoption Metrics

| Metric | Baseline | Target | Measurement Method | Measurement Point | Responsible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [FIELD: metric name, e.g., Training Completion Rate] | [FIELD: current baseline value, e.g., 0% / Not measured] | [FIELD: target value to be achieved, e.g., 90% by go-live] | [FIELD: how the metric will be measured, e.g., Learning management system report / Survey / Usage analytics] | [FIELD: when this metric will be measured, e.g., 30 days post go-live / Monthly] | [FIELD: role or name accountable for measuring and reporting this metric] |
| [FIELD: metric name, e.g., Stakeholder Readiness Score] | [FIELD: baseline] | [FIELD: target] | [FIELD: measurement method] | [FIELD: measurement point] | [FIELD: responsible] |
| [FIELD: metric name, e.g., Resistance Incident Volume] | [FIELD: baseline] | [FIELD: target] | [FIELD: measurement method] | [FIELD: measurement point] | [FIELD: responsible] |
| [FIELD: metric name, e.g., Process Adoption Compliance] | [FIELD: baseline] | [FIELD: target] | [FIELD: measurement method] | [FIELD: measurement point] | [FIELD: responsible] |

---

## Section 10 — Transition and Sustainment Plan

| Phase | Key Activities | Owner | Success Criteria | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [FIELD: phase name, e.g., Pre-Launch Preparation] | [FIELD: key activities in this phase, e.g., Complete training for all High/Critical impact groups; finalise champion network; confirm go-live communications schedule] | [FIELD: role or name accountable for this phase] | [FIELD: criteria that define successful completion of this phase] | [FIELD: target completion date, YYYY-MM-DD] |
| [FIELD: phase name, e.g., Go-Live and Hypercare] | [FIELD: key activities] | [FIELD: owner] | [FIELD: success criteria] | [FIELD: YYYY-MM-DD] |
| [FIELD: phase name, e.g., Embedding and Reinforcement] | [FIELD: key activities] | [FIELD: owner] | [FIELD: success criteria] | [FIELD: YYYY-MM-DD] |
| [FIELD: phase name, e.g., Benefits Realisation Check] | [FIELD: key activities] | [FIELD: owner] | [FIELD: success criteria] | [FIELD: YYYY-MM-DD] |

---

## Section 11 — Waste Test

The following checklist confirms that this plan adds clear value and avoids unnecessary overhead:

- [ ] The Change Impact Assessment in Section 2 is based on documented stakeholder analysis — not assumptions carried over from a prior project or template.
- [ ] ADKAR readiness levels in Section 3 are based on real engagement data (surveys, interviews, team leader input) — not optimistic estimates.
- [ ] The Change Adoption Strategy in Section 4 is specific to this project's context and stakeholder landscape — not a generic change management framework description.
- [ ] Resistance categories in Section 5 are grounded in early signals gathered from stakeholder engagement — not an exhaustive theoretical list.
- [ ] The Change Champions Model in Section 6 has named individuals who have confirmed their availability and role — not aspirational positions.
- [ ] Training items in Section 7 are linked to specific ADKAR gaps in Section 3 — no training is included that does not address a documented readiness gap.
- [ ] Communications in Section 8 are explicitly cross-referenced to A10 — the change management plan does not duplicate or contradict the Communications Management Plan.
- [ ] Adoption metrics in Section 9 are measurable and will be reported at defined intervals — not collected and filed without action.
- [ ] The Transition and Sustainment Plan in Section 10 extends beyond go-live to confirm that adoption is embedded before change management resources are withdrawn.

---

## Change Log

| Version | Date | Author / Event | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0.0 | 2026-05-31 | Phase B2 Batch C | Initial template |

---

*Template for: Change Management Plan*
*Authority: PMBOK8 Guide §2.5 Stakeholders Performance Domain; §2.7 Delivery Performance Domain; Managing Change in Organizations Practice Guide*
*See definition file: artifacts/governance/A39-change-management-plan-template.md*
