Action plan
The Five Elements Required for Effective Change
04 January 2019 by Scott M. Graffius ☕️ 1 minute read
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Typically, many things need to be in place and go right in order for change such as a project to be successful. Based on the Knoster Model for Managing Complex Change, the image above identifies five elements—vision, skills, incentives, resources, and action plan—which are required for effective change. Examples follow.
Vision
Vision—representing the big picture—is needed by everyone involved in order to have a sense of where the change is leading them. Absence of a vision can lead to confusion and negative arguments which impedes appropriate action. Vision and the four other elements are prerequisites for success.
Skills
Skills—knowledge or expertise—are required to implement plans. Absence of needed skills results in anxiety. Skills and the four other elements are prerequisites for success.
Incentives
Incentives—reasons for change—are needed. The absence of this element can lead to resistance. Incentives and the four other elements are prerequisites for success.
Resources
Resources—needed people, equipment, etc.—must be available to implement the change. Frustration results if adequate resources are not supplied. Resources and the four other elements are prerequisites for success.
Action Plan
An action plan—what needs to be done and how—must be understood by those involved. Absence of such results in false starts, where activities are not coordinated actions are not effective. An action plan and the four other elements are prerequisites for success.
Without all five components, the outcome is less than successful. You may find the model to be helpful when thinking about a new project.
A higher resolution version of the Change Management Model image is available here.
★★★★★
You're invited to find out more about Scott:
And connect with Scott on social:



Typically, many things need to be in place and go right in order for change such as a project to be successful. Based on the Knoster Model for Managing Complex Change, the image above identifies five elements—vision, skills, incentives, resources, and action plan—which are required for effective change. Examples follow.
Vision
Vision—representing the big picture—is needed by everyone involved in order to have a sense of where the change is leading them. Absence of a vision can lead to confusion and negative arguments which impedes appropriate action. Vision and the four other elements are prerequisites for success.
Skills
Skills—knowledge or expertise—are required to implement plans. Absence of needed skills results in anxiety. Skills and the four other elements are prerequisites for success.
Incentives
Incentives—reasons for change—are needed. The absence of this element can lead to resistance. Incentives and the four other elements are prerequisites for success.
Resources
Resources—needed people, equipment, etc.—must be available to implement the change. Frustration results if adequate resources are not supplied. Resources and the four other elements are prerequisites for success.
Action Plan
An action plan—what needs to be done and how—must be understood by those involved. Absence of such results in false starts, where activities are not coordinated actions are not effective. An action plan and the four other elements are prerequisites for success.
Without all five components, the outcome is less than successful. You may find the model to be helpful when thinking about a new project.
A higher resolution version of the Change Management Model image is available here.
★★★★★
You're invited to find out more about Scott:
- Check out his bio,
- Find out about his speaking engagements,
- See and like his author page at Amazon,
- See and like his video channel at Vimeo, and
- Visit the website for his business — Exceptional PPM and PMO Solutions.
And connect with Scott on social:

