Is certification really necessary? Doesn’t experience alone qualify us? I understand the quandary, and it’s a question I am often asked as more rigor and more certifications/accreditations enter into the change management discipline.
Let’s explore the question—because the bottom line is that there are some definite advantages to receiving change management certification.
First, we can turn to the data. Participants in the Best Practices in Change Management – 2018 Edition were asked if they had attended a change management certification program, and more importantly, whether they would recommend that others become certified in change management.
Overwhelmingly, 86% of participants recommended change management certification, and here’s why:
"A structured approach around change management has been one of the best decisions we have taken. Approaching all countries in our division in the same way and having the same language has proven to be a strong asset for increasing awareness around change management but also for creating trust and loyalty between our team and the business."
– Annemarie Brorsen, Director – Head of Business Change Management, DSV
"Change management creates a competitive advantage for our customers, and it achieves business outcomes and ROI at a greater rate than we would have otherwise seen. It made sense to move to a globally recognized methodology."
– Alistair G. Lowe-Norris, Global Director of Adoption & Change Management Strategy at Microsoft Digital, Services & Success
Now this is where it gets interesting. Beyond the benefits of certification, participants identified four adjustments to how they would provide change management training for future initiatives. Your change peers suggest and recommend the following:
"Prosci’s methodology and role-based trainings are uniquely built to work just as well in the academic side of campus as they do on the administration side. But what really set Prosci apart was the Prosci team’s willingness to help us modify their programs to accommodate our distinct needs."
– Bernadette Han, Principal Consultant, Staff Education and Development, University of San Diego
If the data supports the need for and benefits of change management training, what should you expect from the training? Classic answer: It depends. Each training company, organization and professional association has its own standards and philosophy. At Prosci, ours is simple: We provide a full-immersion, hands-on approach that enables adults to learn and apply practical tools, best practices and models that they can immediately implement.
Our philosophy is directly aligned with what participants of the Best Practices in Change Management study reported. Below we share with you the top five topics covered during training (information provided by participants of the 2016 edition of Best Practices in Change Management).
Formal classroom trainings are beneficial for all levels, and by allocating enough time to assess knowledge gaps and training requirements, you can better provide the appropriate training for all roles within your organization. Customized role-specific trainings are recommended for project teams, executives, managers, supervisors and employees. But remember, attempts to build knowledge are only effective when the individuals want to engage in the change process and are seeking knowledge to help them be successful. Begin by building awareness and creating desire. After this, individuals will naturally seek the knowledge they require and engage in the training provided.
To gain knowledge of change management theories, tools and application, we recommend change management certification. We welcome you to join us in one of our upcoming Change Management Certification Programs. There we will provide you with a clear, formalized and proven methodology for effective change management.
As a bonus, upon completion you can promote yourself as a qualified Prosci Certified Change Practitioner with this snazzy badge!
Find the next certification program in your region!
Michelle Haggerty has been with Prosci for over a decade and is currently responsible for Prosci's service portfolio and internal operations, leading the strategic direction of our offerings and ensuring delivery quality. Through balancing operational excellence with the customer experience, Michelle helps companies optimize the benefits of change management and achieve their project outcomes.
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