Launch · Add-on
Plan the change for people, not just systems
New systems fail when people do not change how they work. Plan how people will learn about, want, learn and keep using the new way.
About 5-15 daysEvergreenLast reviewed 5 November 2026
Who this applies to
- Skills it builds
- Communication and influenceLeadership and coaching
- PM types
- Transformation
- Product types
- All
- Starting points
- All
- Ways of working
- All
- Experience
- All
- Size of organisation
- All
Steps, by experience
Beginner (under 1 year)
- List the groups affected and how their work will change.
- Explain why the change is happening, early and often.
- Find champions in each group to help others.
- Provide training and help at the moment people need it.
- Check how people are getting on and fix problems quickly.
- Remove the old way once the new way works.
Intermediate (1 to 4 years)
- Assess impact by group.
- Plan communication, training and support.
- Track adoption and reinforce the change.
Experienced (5+ years)
- Use a change model to find where people are stuck.
- Get visible leadership support.
- Measure behaviour change, not training attendance.
Who can do this
Owner: Product manager
Can be delegated to
- Delivery Manager: Coordinate communication and training
- Content Designer: Write guides and messages
Reviewed by: Delivery Manager
Tool examples
- SharePoint / Word
- Publish guides where staff already look.
- Confluence
- Keep a change plan with groups, messages and dates.
Definition of done
- Impact assessed for each group
- Communication, training and support planned
- Adoption tracked
Common pitfalls
- Training once and hoping
- No leadership support
- Keeping the old way available forever
If you lead the team
What good looks like: Change plans cover how people will hear about, want, learn and keep using the new way.
Ask your PM
- How are we helping people change how they work, not just switch systems?
- How will we know the change has stuck?
Warning signs
- Training is a single session at go-live.
- People drift back to old ways.