Purpose of this step

Every activity in Change Management must begin with a 'why', so start there.

Activities to complete

• Starting by establishing the what, when and why.
• Design and align your champions' strategy to organizational goals. Then, align the strategy to the overall success criteria for deploying the new technology.
• Define the champion's role and responsibilities.
• Create the terms of reference for the community.

Resources

Change Champions Community Setup Guide and Workbook. Download.

Bring key stakeholders and executives on board by designing and aligning the Champions Community to organisational objectives and vision.

Activities to complete

• Gain an understanding of who your stakeholders are: the champions, organizational influencers, team leaders, executive sponsors, H&R (L&D or training teams). 

• Scedule briefing sessions to to articulate the value of the Champions Community to the organization to secure support from key stakeholders. 

• Provide a high-level view of roles and responsibilities of the champions and be ready to refine the detailed role descriptions with stakeholders following further consolidation when completed.

• Inform stakeholders, including line managers, of the expected time commitment for champions.

• Continue to support line managers to gain buy-in.

Resources

Change Champions Community Setup Guide and Workbook. Download.

How will the change champions community work? What will be their terms of reference? Will there be any special interest groups created? What roles and responsibilities are required? Answer all these questions and document them in the Change Champions Terms of Reference

Activities to complete

• If champions will require training, define what champions must be trained on regarding the new system.

• Develop collaterals, resource stories, and examples to raise awareness and communicate to their peers as part of the overall champion program – repurpose items from communications and training plans developed. 

• Define key activities for champions to carry out, pre, during and post rollout that aligns with and support adoption plans and tactics 

• Establish how change champions will communicate and engage with the organisation. 

• Create a launch plan.

Resources

Change Champions Community Setup Guide and Workbook. Download.

Now that you have gained sponsorship from leadership and buy-in from line managers, it is time to recruit your champions.

Actions to complete

• Have discussions with department leads and managers across different lines of business to help locate thought leaders, technology evangelists, etc.

• Make use of existing support groups for the adoption of the new technology to identify who is already helping with the adoption of the new technology and has potential to grow as a champion. 

• Clearly articulate the roles and responsibilities to potential champions. And make sure to highlight the benefits of a champion.

Resources

Change Champions Community Setup Guide and Workbook. Download.

By now, you would have gained leadership sponsorship, buy-in from line managers, created the change champions' terms of reference and recruited change champions. Now it is time to launch the community.

Activities to complete

• Communicate the purpose and strategy of the Champions Community as part of your organisation-wide launch.

• Announce how employees can reach champions using both online and offline channels. 

• Give something back; recognise the work that champions do through public recognition and awards.

Resources

Change Champions Community Setup Guide and Workbook. Download.

After the launch of the champions community, it is time to put the activities roadmap into action.

Activities to complete

• Continuously meet with champions to learn how they’re doing and gather feedback about their teams finding new ways of working.

• Throughout your organisation-wide launch, encourage interested employees to learn more about the Champions Community and guide them on how to get involved. 

• Activate the cadence for and champion meetings and engagement

• Continue to recognise and reward champions for their efforts.

Resources

Change Champions Community Setup Guide and Workbook. Download