Explore the Levels of Change Management

Using the ADKAR Model to Measure Change Success

Written by Tim Creasey

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Peter Drucker famously observed, “what gets measured gets managed.” In the change space, measurement has often been an elusive frontier. With its individual and results orientation, the Prosci ADKAR Model is uniquely valuable as a measurement mechanism. In Prosci’sApplication of ADKARresearch effort, change practitioners shared their experience, insights and advice on using the ADKAR Model as a measurement framework. And, as it turns out, it works –two thirds of participants using the model as a measurement framework said it was extremely effective. As one participant noted,“ADKAR allows you to measure where individuals are in the change process so change management activities can be tailored and timely.”

Why We Need to Measure Change

Measurement of change is critical across the entire lifecycle of the project. Up front, establishing metrics for measurement set parameters for how we will know if we are making necessary progress. Initial measures also provide a baseline for understanding where we are starting. During the middle of the effort, measurement of change progress lets us know how we are doing, and perhaps more importantly, where we are struggling. When we measure, we can identify gaps. And once we’ve identified gaps, we can move to correct them. Toward the end of the effort and into sustainment, measurement enables us to know if the change is sticking and if individuals have been successful in their own transition.

Measurement of change at the individual level is a critical component of reporting and dashboarding progress. The data can be used to inform and influence project teams and senior leaders. Measuring individual change can shed light on the critical importance of managing the people side of change to deliver results. Finally, measuring of change progress by stakeholders provides a mechanism for evaluating the effectiveness of change management work.

What the Research Says

Prosci’sApplications of ADKARresearch effort explored seven uses of the ADKAR Model, one of which was as a measurement framework. The quotes below from study participants shed light on the applications of and results of the ADKAR Model to measure change progress.

The individual assessment provided easily quantifiable and comparable data - baseline and progress measure - to guide change management efforts.”

“It makes it easier to move from measurement results to actions. If Knowledge and Ability are low, the issue is training--if Desire is low, training will not solve the problem.”

“The data collected from the survey results enable the change team to drill down further on specific gaps and or barriers.”

“Organized, summarized and reported the data to project sponsors and project team members. The data was then used to make adjustments to change management activities.


The full deep dive includes additional insights into why the ADKAR Model was used as a measurement framework, how it was used (including direction on who, when and how to measure), and the impact it had as a measurement mechanism. Click the image below to download all sevenApplications of ADKARresearch studies, including this one on using the ADKAR Model as a measurement framework for inspiration and examples. It also features a case study of how one utility organization uses the model to measure across project lifecycles, from readiness evaluations to key milestones to lessons learned.

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