Delivering change is more than hitting project milestones — it’s about preparing people, processes and culture to embrace transformation. In this blog, Sue Stockley who heads Business Case Training at NHS Midlands and Lancashire, unpacks the critical relationship between change management and business cases and how they drive meaningful, lasting impact.

How does the role of the Change Manager differ to that of the Project Manager? How does the project manager provide the necessary business case assurances that there are robust plans for change are in place?

Projects are vehicles for change

Projects are about delivering change. They often involve service improvement, redesign and transformation and related changes to methods of working and processes. We never just replace assets, we always try to improve, whether providing a more effective and efficient service or improving service resilience. People and culture are key to transformational change.

This is why stakeholder engagement via workshops and other methods is vital to ensuring the business case can demonstrate users fully support the project and are committed to it. This includes engaging the workforce – recognising the importance of staff and placing them in the centre of the vision. Meanwhile we should consider staff capacity and capability. Equally, strong visible leadership is also crucial for transformational success.

The distinct roles of project and change managers

The Project Manager is responsible for project deliverables, in terms of time, cost and quality. The responsibility for the delivery of service change belongs to the Project Board. But the Change Manager needs to ensure the organisation is capable of delivery – ready, willing and able to accept change. They also ensure that stakeholder expectations are met.

Throughout any change initiative, Project Managers and Change Managers will need to work together to ensure that the change management workstream is aligned to the project plan in the business case. At the same time, whilst the business case should not replicate the full change management strategy and plans, it should give sufficient assurance that they are in place.

Change management in the business case

Better Business Cases^TM training provides a clear process for assessing and developing business cases. It covers the Five Case Model approach, and the key elements required in the commercial case including the change management strategy.

Key questions to ask:

• Is there a change management strategy assessing the impact of the proposed change on the culture, systems, processes and people working within the organisation?
• Is this linked to benefits realisation?
• Is there a change management framework to manage anticipated and unexpected change?
• Does that include change management governance and reporting arrangements, roles and responsibilities?
• Is there a detailed, resourced and robust change management plan in place explaining what will be delivered by whom and when?
• Does the plan reflect timing of training and developmental needs of key groups of personnel including those managing the contract?
• Are stakeholder impact assessments, engagement plans and communication arrangements included in the plan?
• Does the workforce model align to the overall strategic vision?
• Are interdependencies understood and does the change management plan align to the project plan?

How we can help

Adopting a robust approach to investment appraisal and business case development and assurance can be challenging. Our Business Case Training team provides APMG Better Business Cases^TM training to the public and private sector. We also support Bite Size training including economic modelling and benefits management and realisation.

Whether you need Better Business Cases ^TM training covering the Five Case Model (a systematic framework for the development and the presentation of the business case over time) or Bite Size training on related elements of the business case, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Reach out to us today and we will get in touch to see how we can help.

Contact details

E:  mlcsu.nhsenglandbbc@nhs.net

W: Better Business Cases training – NHS Midlands and Lancashire