Change readiness assessment

Change that sticks
requires more than
communication.

Most change efforts fail not because people oppose them, but because the new way never became the only way. This tool helps you find the structural gaps.

Start the assessment How it works
The real problem

Change fails when the old way still works.

Why most change stalls

  • People understand the change but don't use it
  • Old processes and workarounds still exist
  • No real consequence for reverting
  • Leaders say the right things but model the old way
  • Resistance is quiet and hard to name

What actually drives adoption

  • The new way is the easiest way to do the job
  • The old way no longer works
  • Trying and failing feels safe enough to risk
  • Consequences match the stated expectations
  • Resistance is identified and addressed early

Adoption is behaviour, not sentiment. People adopt change when the new way becomes the easiest and safest way to get the job done. Not when they agree with it. Not when they feel good about it. When it becomes reality.

The framework

Six steps to make change stick

Each step addresses a structural reason why change fails. Together they build the conditions for adoption.

Step 01

Declare Reality

Remove ambiguity about what is changing, when the old way ends, and how success will be measured. If someone can ignore the change without consequence, reality hasn't been declared.

Step 02

Make It Workable

People avoid change when trying it makes them look incompetent. Design for low-risk learning. Protect dignity during the transition so people can try without fear of being judged.

Step 03

Rewire the Rewards

Behaviour follows what gets rewarded and what gets noticed. Align recognition, performance expectations, and everyday approvals with the new way. Misaligned incentives will undo everything else.

Step 04

Collapse the Old World

As long as the old way still works, the new way stays optional. Retire old templates and channels, stop accepting old formats, remove workarounds. Complaints will spike right before adoption sticks. Hold the line.

Step 05

Normalise the New Way

Adoption is complete when the change becomes routine. Embed it into standard work practices, onboarding, reporting, and governance. Success looks like people stop talking about it.

Step 06

Address Resistance Early

Not all resistance is visible. Watch for constant problem-spotlighting without solutions, nostalgia framed as quality concerns, and persistent workarounds. Name it early and respond with clarity, not conflict.

What the assessment gives you

Know exactly where your change initiative stands.

Scored in 10 minutes

11 questions covering all six framework steps. No lengthy workshops. No consultant involvement required.

Adoption readiness score

A clear score out of 22, with a band that tells you whether your initiative is on track, at risk, or needs structural redesign.

Specific next actions

AI-generated recommendations tied to your lowest-scoring areas. Practical actions a project lead can action next week.

Biggest risk identified

The single highest-risk area from your answers. Named plainly so it can be addressed, not politely avoided.

Track across your team

Create an organisation account so project leads across your team can each run assessments and build a shared picture over time.

Reassess as you go

Run the assessment at each phase of a project. Your history is saved so you can see whether the score is improving or stalling.

Find out where your change initiative actually stands.

Takes about 10 minutes. No sign-up required to see your results. Create an account to save your history and track progress.

Start the free assessment

Free for individual use. Organisation accounts available for teams.