I have received several similar questions recently where I was asked whether all projects are not change projects, for they have changes in them. It is a basic question but a very important one. Change in a project and a Change Project are two different things.
Change in a project
Every project has changes in them; it is a fact. You also have to manage change in requirements, technology, resources, risk, and impacts, etc. That is part of every project and is completely different from a “change project”.
Change Project versus change in a project
A Change Project involves deeper changes or disruptions that are going to bring a transformation of some sort. The term “Change Project” implies an in-depth change in one or all of the following areas:
The way of working (processes, organizational strategy)
The tools and standards that we usually work with (new methods adoption, new regulations, new technology implementation)
The organization structure (merger, globalization, environment, global sourcing)
These are the changes that move people out of their comfort zone, throw them off-balance and create profound resistance. Therefore you need more knowledge, guidance, support, and coaching to lead such projects.