Organizational change: what it is and what it means

Organizational change is a discontinuous intervention that modifies one part of the system or its entire architecture, with a start, a peak of effort and a consolidation phase. It differs from continuous improvement — a permanent flow of small adjustments — because it requires dedicated governance and a defined scope of execution. Unlike transformation, it can be incremental and leave the overall architecture intact; unlike innovation, it concerns the transition from one way of working to another, regardless of how innovative the end point is.

Distinctive: discontinuous intervention
Distinctive: start, a peak of effort and a consolidation phase
Essential: modifies one part of the system
Essential: dedicated governance
Constant: defined scope of execution

Glossary

Organizational change

A discontinuous intervention on one part of the system or on its entire architecture, with a start, a peak of effort and a consolidation phase.