PROSCI CHANGE MANAGEMENT
What You Need to Know
By Ogbe Airiodion | Senior Change Management Leader
What You Need to Know About Prosci. Is Prosci Change Management & Framework Still Relevant Today?
Founded in 1994, Prosci claims to be the “World’s Most Widely Adopted Individual Change Management Framework.” But is that really the case today? Or has this changed?
Over the last two decades I have led mid-to-large-scale change management programs for major corporations including Apple, Intel, Cisco, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, and the Federal Reserve Bank. Last year, I established Apple’s first ever change management practice for its B2B sales organizations.
During my tenure, I have seen how popular the Prosci change management certification has been.
However, it seems to be one of the most expensive change management certifications to obtain. Which begs the questions often asked by professionals: Is Prosci still relevant today? Do a lot of firms still require their change practitioners to obtain a Prosci change management certificate? What are the pros and cons of Prosci? Read on to find out.
Ogbe Airiodion
Senior Change Management Leader
What You Need to Know About This Guide
This guide is a follow-up to the “Should You Spend Over $4,500 to Get a Prosci Certification? Is the Cost Worth it?” article that we published last year which went viral and has garnered a lot of interest and conversations. Click on the link above to read more, if you haven’t done so already.
Whether you’re an organization interested in successfully managing a change project using the Prosci change management toolkit, methods, and processes, or an individual considering becoming a Prosci change management practitioner, it’s important to understand the Prosci change model fully, and determine whether it’s still relevant for your change management needs.
This guide is an end-to-end primer on some key factors you need to know about Prosci, and Prosci practices in change management, including the ADKAR change management process.
Table of Contents
In this AGS guide about Prosci change management, we’ll clear up a lot of confusion and answer important questions about Prosci, such as:
- What is Prosci® Change Management Really About?
- Does the Prosci Certificate Expire? If So, When?
- What is the Difference Between Prosci and ADKAR?
- What is the Prosci Change Management Process?
- What is the Prosci Change Impact Assessment?
- About the Prosci Change Management Practitioner Certification
- What’s Included in Prosci Change Management Methodology Training?
- Positive Prosci Reviews – What Existing Users Have to Say
- Negative Prosci Reviews – Biggest Issues with the Prosci Certificate
- Is the Prosci Change Management & Methodology Still Relevant?
What is Prosci Change Management Model?
Organizations and hiring managers are beginning to realize that it is more important for a change practitioner to have the right level of change management experience (which is the “Art” of change management) more so than it is to have a change management certification (the “Science” of change management). And, this is leading a lot of change managers to ask questions like Should I Spend $4,500+ for a Prosci Certificate? Is it Worth it?
This year, you won’t get very far in researching organizational change management before running across the name Prosci.
Many of the world’s top change management firms, businesses, and groups use the Prosci change methodology in how they approach company transformations. In fact, there are some firms and managers that require knowledge of Prosci change management methodology and certification before they’ll hire someone as a change consultant or full-time organizational change manager.
Prosci certifications for change management are well-known as a measure of knowledge in the industry.
However, because the firm is so synonymous with change management philosophies, there’s often confusion about the difference between Prosci, the company itself, and the Prosci change management model.
Don’t Miss: All-In-One Change Management Tool
Do you have any positive or negative reviews to share about Prosci Change Management? Message the AGS Editorial Team, and let us know.
What is Prosci® Change Management?
First, let’s answer the question, “What is Prosci® change management?” Is it a company or a change management methodology? Actually, it encompasses both!
Prosci is a company that was founded in 1994 by a former Bell Labs engineer and program manager (Jeff Hiatt). This company found an area of business consulting that was untapped and carved out a niche in change management and facilitating change.
One of the hallmarks of the firm early on that helped Prosci change management methodology become an industry standard is the attention the firm paid to continuous research and the scientific method.
This research was weighted heavily on how the change impacts people and the factors that cause a change project to either succeed or fail. For example, Prosci’s founder saw that two projects with equally effective technology components could have completely different outcomes.
The difference was the people component of change. By studying the human side of change management, the firm developed The Prosci ADKAR® Model to guide organizations through successful change.
Today, Prosci change management consulting firm has built up an impressive business that includes:
- Providing change management consulting services
- Offering certification to those that want to become a Prosci change management practitioner
- Offering a Prosci change management toolkit for individuals and businesses
- Facilitating training and eLearning on the Prosci methodology
What Does Prosci Stand For?
Wondering, “What does Prosci stand for?” The name is a combination of the first three letters in words “professional” and “science.” The Prosci organizational change management model is based on scientific principals and research applied in professional settings.
How is Prosci Pronounced?
Many people read Prosci change management model information all the time, but when it comes to saying the name out loud, they wonder, “How is Prosci pronounced?”
Prosci is pronounced: pro-sigh.
Some people pronounce Prosci with a “cee” at the end (“Pro-cee”), but how to really pronounce Prosci goes back to the two words that make up the name: professional and science. Prosci is the first three letters of each of the two words: “Pro” and “Sci”: Prosci, and it is pronounced “pro-sigh”
Click here (Contact AGS) and let us know if you have any questions about this Prosci review article.
Does the Prosci Certification Expire?
During all our past research on the Prosci certification, we found that it was good for a lifetime, with no expiration date. Prosci recently updated its website, so now there is no mention that we can find of any expiration or timeframe for the certification.
However, there is also no mention of needing to renew the certification or any details provided about renewal. So, we believe that the certification is still valid for a lifetime and will not expire.
There is one component that does need to be renewed, which is the access to the digital Prosci change management content that’s offered. Prosci’s website states that you get access to this content for one-year with your certification, and must renew that access if you want to keep it after that time.
If you have any questions about this Prosci review article, just click here (Contact AGS) and let us know, and we’ll be happy to help.
Do you have any positive or negative reviews to share about Prosci Change Management? Message the AGS Editorial Team, and let us know.
What is the Difference Between Prosci and ADKAR?
It’s not uncommon for those that are new to change management to confuse the firm with the Prosci change model, ADKAR.
If you’ve been wondering, “What is the difference between Prosci and ADKAR?”, this section will give you the answer. Prosci is the firm that developed the methodology, and ADKAR is Prosci’s methodology/framework for change management.
Prosci’s model of individual change is called The Prosci ADKAR® Model, and it’s one of the most widely used change methodologies in business. The Prosci change management toolkit, tutorial, and certification is centered around the ADKAR model.
What is the ADKAR Prosci Change Management Model?
ADKAR is an acronym for the five key stages that an individual should be guided through to achieve success during an organizational change.
ADKAR stands for:
- Awareness
- Desire
- Knowledge
- Ability
- Reinforcement
Prosci best practices in change management are founded in the ADKAR stages, which in essence illustrate what an individual needs: Awareness of the need for change, desire to participate in and support the change, knowledge, and ability to be successful, and continued reinforcement for the change to stick.
Prosci Organizational Change Management Model: ADKAR
Do you have any positive or negative reviews to share about Prosci Change Management? Message the AGS Editorial Team, and let us know.
What is the Prosci Change Management Process?
Another important component you need to know when studying Prosci methodology is the Prosci 3 phase change management process.
While ADKAR provides you with the Prosci change model and framework of where stakeholders need to be for change to be successful, the Prosci 3 phase change management process gives you a roadmap to planning and executing your change project.
Each of the phases used in the Prosci change management methodology includes steps that you can take to complete them and suggested mechanisms to help prepare for, manage, and reinforce change.
Prosci 3 Phase Change Management Process
Phase 1: Prepare Approach
In this first phase, you begin to see some of the Prosci change management toolkits. This is a guide of steps and assessments that can help you properly plan your change project.
Phase 1 involves being aware of where your organization and users are before you begin change activities and defining the way you will approach the project. Steps include:
- Define Success
- Define Impact
- Define Approach
Within this part of the Prosci 3 phase change management process, you’ll see reference to the Change Management Strategy deliverable, which is the roadmap to your approach.
Phase 2: Manage Change
In phase 2 of the Prosci change management process, you’ll see the ADKAR model come into play. As part of this phase, you’ll:
- Plan and Act
- Track Performance
- Adapt Actions
The mechanisms you’ll use in this phase of the Prosci 3 phase change management process directly relate to putting users through the ADKAR areas. So, getting this phase right is vital to Prosci best practices in change management.
It also emphasizes the importance of tracking progress and adjusting plans as needed to ensure the engagement is still on track to reach expected outcomes.
The deliverable in this phase of the Prosci change management model is the Master Change Management Plan.
Phase 3: Sustain Outcomes
An important take away from studying the Prosci methodology and the Prosci change management model is that your change management isn’t over after your “go-live” date. It requires reinforcement to ensure training and new workflows stay intact.
The steps in this third phase of the Prosci change management process include:
- Review Performance
- Activate Sustainment
- Transfer Ownership
Mechanisms that will help with this reinforcement phase of the Prosci change management methodology include things documenting lessons learned, identifying gaps in user sustainment of the change, and celebrating successes.
The deliverable in this 3rd phase of the Prosci methodology is the Change Management Closeout.
Do you have any positive or negative reviews to share about the Prosci ADKAR Change Management Framework? Message the AGS Editorial Team, and let us know.
Prosci Change Impact Assessment
One of the mechanisms that is often mentioned when discussing items in the Prosci change management toolkit is the Change Impact Assessment.
This is an important step in phase 1 of the Prosci change management process, and if it’s not carried out correctly, it can doom a project from the start.
The Change Impact Assessment covered in the Prosci model and toolkit involves looking at all the ways that a change is going to impact an organization, so you can plan your change management activities accordingly.
For example, not every change has the same level of impact on internal and external audiences. An individual might have a small level of impact and only need minimal training if they were moving from Office 2019 (non-cloud) to Microsoft 365 (cloud-based) because the software will be very similar.
However, if an individual was moving from Google Workspace tools to Microsoft 365 tools, then this would be a larger impact; thus, more change management training would be needed.
Which Change Impact Assessment Does Prosci Recommend in the Prosci Change Management Toolkit?
In the Prosci organizational change management information, you’ll find that Prosci identifies 10 different aspects of an employee’s job (i.e., daily life) that can be impacted by a change, and which need to be assessed as part of an effective change impact analysis:
- Processes
- Systems
- Tools
- Job Roles
- Critical Behaviors
- Mindset/Attitude/Beliefs
- Reporting Structure
- Performance Reviews
- Compensation
- Location
Not all change projects will impact all these areas. According to the Prosci methodology, conducting a Change Impact Assessment helps you identify and address the areas that will be impacted so you can better mitigate change resistance.
Don’t Miss:
What You Need to Know about the Prosci Change Management Practitioner Certification
If you’re considering a position in change management, then becoming a Prosci change management practitioner and getting certified is a smart way to prepare.
You’ll find that many companies will require Prosci change management methodology knowledge and certification as a job requirement. It’s also a great pathway to learning the fundamentals of change management that will apply to any size organization.
Here’s a brief overview of the types of certifications on the Prosci change management model that the company has available.
- Change Management Certification Program – Virtual
- Change Management Certification Program: 3-day Experiential Program
- Train-the-Trainer Program Level 1 & 2
- Advanced Instructor Certification
Certification on Prosci Methodology
If you’re interested in learning more about the Prosci methodology and becoming certified, you’ll want to start with one of the first two programs, as the advanced programs have prerequisite certifications.
Training on Prosci Change Management Methodology
If you’re not yet ready to go through certification, but want to know more about, “What is Prosci change management?”, you’ll find multiple resources for training on the Prosci website.
Included in the Prosci change management toolkit are eLearning modules on topics like:
- Introduction to change management
- Introduction to ADKAR
- Introduction to leading change
- Thriving through change
You can also find details on Prosci methodology, ADKAR toolkits, and the Prosci change management model through:
- Webinars
- Articles
- Blogs
- Downloads
Do you have any reviews to share about the Prosci Change Management? Message the AGS Editorial Team, and let us know.
Positive Prosci Reviews
Click here to read more: Positive Prosci Reviews – What Existing Users Have to Say
Click here to read more: Negative Prosci Reviews – Biggest Issues with the Prosci Certificate
Conclusion – Is Prosci Change Management & Methodology Still Relevant?
The key to understanding the Prosci change management methodology and whether it is still relevant today is to separate the firm itself, Prosci, from the framework, model, and process that the firm has created for change management.
As an early pioneer in the field, the scientific approach taken by this company forged one of the most used methods for change management in the industry. Prosci methodology is people-centered and based upon a thorough study that indicates people can basically make or break a change management project, so you need to consider them first and foremost.
To really understand whether Prosci is still relevant today, you’ll need to weigh and pros and cons from your own perspective. For example, for a lot of people, paying ~$4,500 is too much for a change management certification (and just 3 days of training), and so they will choose to go with a less expensive Prosci alternative. You might have the financial resources, or your firm might be willing to pay the cost, in which case, it will be worth it for you to get certified in Prosci.
But if you’re not ready to make a decision, click on any of the articles below to read more and continue your review:
- Should You Spend $4,500+ for a Prosci Certificate? Is it Worth it to Your?
- What are Prosci Alternatives? What are Gaps in the Prosci Methodology?
- Prosci ADKAR Change Management Model: Everything You Need to Know
Images: https://www.prosci.com/solutions/solutions-for-individuals, https://www.prosci.com/adkar, https://www.prosci.com/solutions/advanced-certifications
While Prosci ADKAR provides you with the Prosci change model and framework of where stakeholders need to be for change to be successful, the Prosci change management process involves a 3 phase change management process, which gives you a roadmap to planning and executing your change project. Each of the phases used in the Prosci change management methodology includes steps that you can take to complete them and suggested mechanisms to help prepare for, manage, and reinforce change.
Prosci is the company that established the ADKAR change management model which has become the industry standard for change management implemention. Prosci was founded in 1994 by a former Bell Labs engineer and program manager (Jeff Hiatt). This company found an area of business consulting that was untapped and carved out a niche in change management and facilitating change. One of the hallmarks of the firm early on that helped Prosci change management methodology become an industry standard is the attention the firm paid to continuous research and the scientific method.
Wondering, “What does Prosci stand for?” The name is a combination of the first three letters in words “professional” and “science.”
Prosci is pronounced pro-sigh. Some people pronounce it with a cee at the end (Pro-cee), but how to really pronounce Prosci goes back to the two words that make up the name, professional, and science. Prosci is the first three letters of the two words together, and is pronounced pro-sigh
ADKAR is an acronym for the five key stages that an individual should be guided through to achieve success during an organizational change. ADKAR stands for: Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, and ReinforcementWhat is prosci change management?
What is Prosci?
What does Prosci stand for?
How to pronounce Prosci
ADKAR stands for?
Note: Content on OCM Solution's ocmsolution.com website is protected by copyright. Should you have any questions or comments regarding this OCM Solution page, please reach out to Ogbe Airiodion (Change Management Lead) or the OCM Solution Team today. OCM Solution was previously known as Airiodion Global Services (AGS).