Change Management vs Agile Change Agent

Change Management courses exist to support the organizational change to make sure that employees are guided through their change journey. Organizational change refers to the actions in which an organisation alters one of its major components, like the used technologies, infrastructure, internal processes or internal culture.

Organizational change is a direct response to an internal or external change in the organisation.

Internal changes can be:

• New leadership,
• A new team structure,
• The implementation of new technology,
• Fast growth,
• The adaption of a different business model.

As we have experienced in the last year, an external factor can be

• A global pandemic,
• Changes in the business environment,
• A new competitive environment,
• Political changes.

Whether derived from internally or externally changes, any organisation comes at a point where organizational change is inevitable for the organisation to remain viable and scalable.

Organizational change is often a very sensitive transformation as it is often conceived as something intimidating for those impacted by the change. In order to make the transition as delicate as possible, a Change Manager is appointed that has a strong knowledge of Change Management.

This person can follow different courses and can get different certifications.
Two common certifications are ‘Change Management’ and ‘Agile Change Agent’, two completely different approaches that both fit different situations. One is not better than the other, it depends on the organisation and the specific transition.

Change Management by APMG

As the name suggests, APMG’s Change Management deals with managing change and its impact.
It provides an overview of the theories within Change Management and can be seen as a collection of knowledge and best practices.

The methodology provides an extensive insight at all the different stages of change and provides a structured approach for supporting individuals and teams to move from a current to a future state.

The key takeaway from this methodology is that change is not a single event, it is a process. To follow structural change there is a need for clarity to connect business strategy to action and its main factor for success is proper communication with all stakeholders. Mastery, purpose and autonomy can help raise change engagement.

This certification can aid Change Managers in the following situations;

• Traditional waterfall organisations,
• Transformational changes,
• Organisations with a strong top-down approach,
• Long-lasting and evident-based results.

Agile Change Agent by APMG

The Agile Change Agent is a hands-on course that supports the ideas of collaboration, empowerment and self-direction that are core to Agile approaches.

These ideas are also at the heart of effective change management. Unless people participate in designing, practising and adopting the change for themselves, the change does not happen and benefits cannot be realized.

The methodology defines different ‘change agents’, these can be managers or employees, or external consultants hired to facilitate change initiatives. A change agent is someone who has a (temporary) job within the organisation and next to his/her daily work facilitates change.

The methodology and its course are full of exercises and practical tools, tips and advice.
The course focuses less on the theories of change and is more methodological.

This certification can aid Change Managers, and others, in the following situations;

• Agile organisations,
• Adaptive changes,
• Organisations with a strong bottom-up approach,
• Fast, person-driven results.

How do these courses & certifications compare?

The APMG Change Management program provides a structured approach for supporting individuals and teams to move from a current to a future state. The course equips participants with the theory, tools and techniques to contribute effectively to planning, implementing and sustaining change.

The APMG Agile Change Agent certification includes a simple, repeatable lifecycle model which acts as the structure of any change plan. The course provides questionnaires and checklists to help create the culture for effective change.

QRP Switzerland offers both the APMG Change Management course and the APMG Agile Change Agent course.

Do you have more questions about the differences between the different Change Management approaches?
You can contact us and we will be happy to support you with more information, customized to your needs.