Overview
The Change Canvas (also known as "Change on a Page") offers a high-level, visual summary of your change initiative. It serves as a collaborative tool to align teams on purpose, scope, stakeholders, and approach, providing a single-page view that anchors collaboration and governance.
It helps build a shared understanding among sponsors, project managers, and change leads while also acting as a checkpoint tool during governance reviews.
Key Elements
- Vision & Objectives: Defines the "why" behind the change.
- Scope & Boundaries: Clarifies what's included and excluded.
- Stakeholders: Lists impacted groups and key influencers.
- Change Approach: Summarizes the strategies to implement and support change.
- Risks & Dependencies: Captures known risks and links to related projects.
- Readiness Factors: Highlight internal enablers and blockers.
- Leadership Alignment: Indicate how well leaders are prepared to support the change.
- Sponsorship Strength: Evaluate the visibility and effectiveness of executive sponsors.
How It Works
Configuration & Visibility
The canvas is editable based on user roles. Change leads, sponsors, and key collaborators typically have edit access, while others may view or comment depending on their permissions.
Completing the Canvas
- Navigate to the “Change on a Page” tab.
- Use the guiding questions to complete each field.
- Collaborate with key stakeholders in a working session.
- Save your entries and revisit frequently.
- Export to PDF, Word, or Excel as needed.
Use Case Example
A transformation lead uses the canvas to co-design initiative goals with executive sponsors. Midway through the initiative, it is updated to reflect new dependencies and changing leadership dynamics.
Best Practices
- Kickoff Tool: Use the canvas early to establish alignment.
- Governance Reviews: Revisit at major milestones.
- Facilitated Workshops: Involve project and change leaders to gather input.
- Role-Specific Input: Assign fields for different leads to complete (e.g., PMs for scope, sponsors for risks).
Templates & Reusability
Use predefined canvas templates for common change categories (e.g., system upgrades, org structure changes) to streamline set-up.
Pro Tip
Review assumptions quarterly. Initiatives shift over time—your canvas should too.
FAQs
Q: Who should fill out the Change Canvas?
A: The initiative owner or change lead, in collaboration with sponsors and stakeholders.
Q: Can we revise the Change Canvas later?
A: Absolutely. Treat it as a living document.
Q: Is the Canvas used for reporting?
A: Yes. It's great for executive updates and governance meetings.
Q: When should I update it?
A: Review regularly at major milestones or monthly.
Q: What happens after completing the Canvas?
A: Use it to drive deeper planning across impact, effort, and risk. It's also a great starting point for stakeholder engagement and benefit tracking.
Next Steps
After completing the canvas:
- Align with the Impact, Effort, and Risk Assessments
- Integrate key takeaways into stakeholder plans
- Use as a reference during check-ins and steering committees