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The Effective Change Manager's Handbook
The Effective Change Manager's Handbook helps practitioners, employers and academics define and practise change management successfully and develop change management maturity within their organization.
A single-volume learning resource covering the range of knowledge required, it includes chapters from established thought leaders on topics ranging from benefits management, stakeholder strategy, facilitation, change readiness, project management and education and learning support. Endorsed by the Change Management Institute and the official guide to the CMI Body of Knowledge, The Effective Change Manager's Handbook covers the whole process from planning to implementation, offering practical tools, techniques and models to effectively support any change initiative.
The editors of The Effective Change Manager's Handbook - Richard Smith, David King, Ranjit Sidhu and Dan Skelsey - are all experienced international consultants and trainers in change management. All four editors worked on behalf of the Change Management Institute to co-author the first global change management body of knowledge, The Effective Change Manager, and are members of the APMG International examination panel for change management.
A single-volume learning resource covering the range of knowledge required, it includes chapters from established thought leaders on topics ranging from benefits management, stakeholder strategy, facilitation, change readiness, project management and education and learning support. Endorsed by the Change Management Institute and the official guide to the CMI Body of Knowledge, The Effective Change Manager's Handbook covers the whole process from planning to implementation, offering practical tools, techniques and models to effectively support any change initiative.
The editors of The Effective Change Manager's Handbook - Richard Smith, David King, Ranjit Sidhu and Dan Skelsey - are all experienced international consultants and trainers in change management. All four editors worked on behalf of the Change Management Institute to co-author the first global change management body of knowledge, The Effective Change Manager, and are members of the APMG International examination panel for change management.
632 pages, Paperback
First published November 28, 2014
21 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
About the author
Richard Smith
577 books20 followersLibrarian Note: There are more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 7, 2016
The dynamics of change are far more complex and its impact more far reaching than most people think. It takes more than just MOC codes and spreadsheets to change things. It takes a innate sense of understanding what brings value and then finding a way to approach it from all dimensions from people to business. Its both top down and bottom up and this book highlights that clearly. People have got change all wrong for a long time. This book is the best way to start.
November 12, 2018
This book introduced me to all the theory related to business change and transformation and completely shifted my vision about embedding change and engaging people. I have always been interested in change on the individual level yet I found myself in change management almost by chance. This book served as my introduction guide and I love it for it:)
July 12, 2021
Very complete guide to the change management mindset, practices, responsibilities and differences when compared with project management. Any business professional should read this.
May 10, 2021
This is a really very good book to act as an introduction to Change Management in organisations.
The book is the course text for the APMG Change Management Foundation and Practitioner course but I think the book is an excellent resource for those not undertaking the qualification and for those engaged in supporting change in organisations.
Despite being 600 pages it serves as a good introduction to change management and points the reader in the right direction for further study but I do think that if those involved in change did a third of what is in this book well they would deliver really good work and increase value.
The book covers all the key areas including understanding how organisations are designed, the psychological impact of change, planning, delivering and sustaining change, benefits management, communications and stakeholder management, management of risk and much more.
The best thing I can say about this book is that I will use it again and again to support change work and also that the 'non-examinable' sections are well worth reading.
I imagine a lot of readers would think 'how could we do all this in the time we have' and realistically this book does make it clear the risk and cost of not doing things but from a practical point of view I imagine there will be times I think, 'this isn't working' and I'll remember a tip or pointer from the book that may suggest an approach or gap.
Where the book loses a star is more based on my own values. The book spends a lot of time talking about people and values but it is very much rooted in the capitalist 'grow or die' and 'destroy your competitors' mindset. Despite it's claims otherwise so many of the case studies revolve around making life worse for employees and just 'change managing them'. I get that most people work in shit organisations with shitty values and many change professionals are involved with initiatives that tell a good story but are about extracting as much income for greedy shareholders with human value window dressed. It seems this book is a generation behind what we consider value, particularly in regard to human learning systems, holocracy and the future of work.
I did wince at the 'systems thinking' sections. I get that they are an introduction but after reading I thought that what was presented would be VERY dangerous in the wrong hands. I consider myself an enthusiastic novice where systems thinking is concerned but it really troubled me how feedback loops and virtuous circles were presented - it really didn't consider the complexity of trying to understand systems and was very 'cause and effect'.
These criticisms aside it is a very good resource and I would recommend.
The book is the course text for the APMG Change Management Foundation and Practitioner course but I think the book is an excellent resource for those not undertaking the qualification and for those engaged in supporting change in organisations.
Despite being 600 pages it serves as a good introduction to change management and points the reader in the right direction for further study but I do think that if those involved in change did a third of what is in this book well they would deliver really good work and increase value.
The book covers all the key areas including understanding how organisations are designed, the psychological impact of change, planning, delivering and sustaining change, benefits management, communications and stakeholder management, management of risk and much more.
The best thing I can say about this book is that I will use it again and again to support change work and also that the 'non-examinable' sections are well worth reading.
I imagine a lot of readers would think 'how could we do all this in the time we have' and realistically this book does make it clear the risk and cost of not doing things but from a practical point of view I imagine there will be times I think, 'this isn't working' and I'll remember a tip or pointer from the book that may suggest an approach or gap.
Where the book loses a star is more based on my own values. The book spends a lot of time talking about people and values but it is very much rooted in the capitalist 'grow or die' and 'destroy your competitors' mindset. Despite it's claims otherwise so many of the case studies revolve around making life worse for employees and just 'change managing them'. I get that most people work in shit organisations with shitty values and many change professionals are involved with initiatives that tell a good story but are about extracting as much income for greedy shareholders with human value window dressed. It seems this book is a generation behind what we consider value, particularly in regard to human learning systems, holocracy and the future of work.
I did wince at the 'systems thinking' sections. I get that they are an introduction but after reading I thought that what was presented would be VERY dangerous in the wrong hands. I consider myself an enthusiastic novice where systems thinking is concerned but it really troubled me how feedback loops and virtuous circles were presented - it really didn't consider the complexity of trying to understand systems and was very 'cause and effect'.
These criticisms aside it is a very good resource and I would recommend.
October 5, 2025
I bought this book thinking it was the one needed for the APMG Change Management Practitioner open-book exam — but that’s not the case. The correct book for the Practitioner open-book exam is “The Change Management Study Guide: Support for the APMG Foundation and Practitioner Qualifications” by Dan Skelsey, Ranjit Sidhu, and Richard Smith.
That study guide is the one you can use during the Practitioner exam (the Foundation exam is closed book). I ended up having to purchase it separately through the Knowledge Academy - my APMG Change Management Foundation course provider. I think the only way you can purchase it is through a course provider, as it’s not available via the APMG website. Additionally, it’s not sold via Amazon or elsewhere.
If I’d known this from the start, I wouldn’t have bought the larger handbook, which this review is about. As while it offers much more detail and is useful for supporting the day-to-day role of a change manager, it isn’t necessary for exam preparation. Plus although the study guide is a smaller book, it’s more expensive, because it can be used for Foundation and Practitioner exam preparation and in the open book exam. For that reason, I’ve given this book two stars and wanted to flag for anyone else looking to study for the exams!
That study guide is the one you can use during the Practitioner exam (the Foundation exam is closed book). I ended up having to purchase it separately through the Knowledge Academy - my APMG Change Management Foundation course provider. I think the only way you can purchase it is through a course provider, as it’s not available via the APMG website. Additionally, it’s not sold via Amazon or elsewhere.
If I’d known this from the start, I wouldn’t have bought the larger handbook, which this review is about. As while it offers much more detail and is useful for supporting the day-to-day role of a change manager, it isn’t necessary for exam preparation. Plus although the study guide is a smaller book, it’s more expensive, because it can be used for Foundation and Practitioner exam preparation and in the open book exam. For that reason, I’ve given this book two stars and wanted to flag for anyone else looking to study for the exams!
March 17, 2025
The book is so informative but the structure of the content prevents you to achieve a coherent and solid mindset about change management and how to be a good change manager. Each chapter is written by different author(s) and about different aspect of change management that I think is one of the reason that book cannot be so practical.
I think this book could not be a good starting point if you want to be a change manager. But it shows the difficulty of this responsibility or position. There are a lot of moving part in change management that a change manager must think about them and manage them. So, author to help change managers in their jobs, introduces a lot of tools, resources, tactics and techniques for change management.
Based on my understanding of the book, for making a change you need a lot human and financial resources. So, it seems methods and techniques introduced in the book is suitable for big organizations.
I think this book could not be a good starting point if you want to be a change manager. But it shows the difficulty of this responsibility or position. There are a lot of moving part in change management that a change manager must think about them and manage them. So, author to help change managers in their jobs, introduces a lot of tools, resources, tactics and techniques for change management.
Based on my understanding of the book, for making a change you need a lot human and financial resources. So, it seems methods and techniques introduced in the book is suitable for big organizations.
February 21, 2020
'The' best book on Change Management and every model you will need
July 17, 2021
An essential resource for every effective Change Manager.
January 7, 2023
Read as part of my APMG Change Foundation & Practitioner courses - some really interesting thoughts & ideas, and some great options for managing change with people at the core
November 26, 2025
Excellent if you can't sleep.
October 30, 2021
This book does what it says on its cover: if you're already in change management or would like to join the profession, and need a quick, up-to-date, accessible, authoritative and unsalesy reference guide - unlike what you often get when you use google search - then this book is a must have.
Also, I'm really glad that I have bought the paperback rather than the Kindle version as it allows me to quickly find and dive into the relevant sections when I'm stuck, or need a reminder.
Also, I'm really glad that I have bought the paperback rather than the Kindle version as it allows me to quickly find and dive into the relevant sections when I'm stuck, or need a reminder.
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January 21, 2016DL027907 PTI
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews