Business change manager

Purpose

The business change manager role is primarily benefits-focused. The role is responsible, on behalf of the Senior Responsible Owner, for defining the benefits, assessing progress towards realisation, and achieving measured improvements.

The business change manager role must be 'business side' in order to bridge between programme and business operations.

Where the programme affects a wide range of business operations, more than one business change manager may be appointed, each with a specific area of the business to focus on.

Specific responsibilities

• Ensuring that the interests of the sponsoring group are met by the programme

• Obtaining assurance for the sponsoring group that the delivery of new capability is compatible with the realisation of benefits

• Working with the programme manager to ensure that the work of the programme, including the scope of each project, covers the necessary aspects required to deliver the products or services that will lead to operational benefit(s)

• Working with the programme manager to identify projects that will contribute to realising benefits and achieving outcomes

• Identifying, defining and tracking the benefits and outcomes required of the programme

• Ensuring that maximum improvements are made in the existing and new business operations as groups of projects deliver their products into operational use

• Leading the activities associated with benefits realisation and ensuring that continued accrual of benefits can be achieved and measured after the programme has been completed

• Establishing and implementing the mechanisms by which benefits can be delivered and measured

• Taking the lead on transition management; ensuring that business as usual is maintained during the transition and the changes are effectively integrated into the business

• Preparing the affected business areas for the transition to new ways of working

• Optimising the timing of the release of project deliverables into the business operations

Skills and attributes

The individual(s) appointed as business change manager should be drawn from the relevant business areas. Their participation in the programme should be an integral part of their normal responsibilities, to enable changes resulting from the programme to be firmly embedded in the organisation

Business change managers require detailed knowledge of the business environment, and direct business experience. In particular, they need an understanding of the management structures, politics and culture of the organisation(s) involved in the programme. They need effective marketing and communication skills to sell the programme vision to staff at all levels of the business

Business change managers should have some knowledge of relevant management techniques, for example:

• Business change techniques, such as business process re-engineering

• Benefits identification, modelling and management techniques

Further Information:

See the briefings on managing change , programme management and benefits management

For more detailed guidance, see the commercially published OGC guide Managing Successful Programmes .