Introduction

The pace of change within organisations is accelerating. Many businesses are undergoing transformation programmes or striving to become more digital. Managing these changes effectively is critical, as a company’s success—or even survival—can depend on the outcome of these initiatives.

Change initiatives often involve IT, but many also encompass Finance, HR, and other core business functions. Frequently, those responsible for driving these changes—whether sponsors or project managers—lack expertise in change management, leading to ineffective implementation. Additionally, businesses must be mindful of change saturation; if employees are overwhelmed by too many initiatives, the result can be resistance, low morale, and failed transformations.

To navigate these challenges, organisations are increasingly establishing a Business Change Function (BCF)—a dedicated team responsible for ensuring that change is delivered in the right way and at the right pace.

Where Should a Business Change Function Sit?

Too often, Business Change Functions are placed within IT due to the volume of projects managed by IT teams. However, change initiatives frequently span multiple departments, making it more effective for the BCF to sit outside IT—ideally reporting to a Board-level executive or the CEO. This structure gives the function the authority and neutrality needed to facilitate change across all business areas.

The Role of a Business Change Function

The mission of the Business Change Function is simple:

“Deliver the change that the business needs in a way that is effective and sustainable.”

This means:

• Ensuring that change initiatives align with business strategy.
• Implementing change in a way that maximises adoption and minimises disruption.
• Creating a structured, repeatable process for prioritising and delivering change.

Identifying and Prioritising Change Initiatives

A critical role of the BCF is to define and prioritise change initiatives. Without a structured approach, organisations risk taking on too many projects, leading to inefficient use of resources. By remaining impartial—free from departmental biases—the BCF ensures that the most valuable initiatives are prioritised.

To do this, the BCF should:

• Understand the organisation’s strategic goals.
• Facilitate sessions to assess potential initiatives.
• Apply clear prioritisation criteria to determine which initiatives to progress.

Some key criteria for prioritisation include:

• Alignment with business strategy
• Cost (capital and operational)
• Expected return on investment (ROI)
• Risk of successful delivery
• Ease of implementation
• Time to deliver
• Benefits (both tangible and intangible)

Without a BCF, prioritisation can become subjective, with decisions often driven by the loudest voices rather than strategic merit. A structured process ensures that resources are allocated effectively, preventing waste and maximising business impact.

Delivering Change Effectively

Once initiatives are selected, the BCF must oversee implementation to ensure that change is embedded successfully. This includes:

• Ensuring stakeholder engagement and communication.
• Managing resistance and minimising disruption.
• Embedding a change culture within the organisation.
• Measuring success and continuously refining processes.

Conclusion

A well-structured Business Change Function is essential for organisations seeking to manage transformation effectively. By providing clear governance, impartial decision-making, and structured delivery, the BCF ensures that change is implemented in a way that drives real business value.

Organisations that fail to take a structured approach risk change fatigue, wasted resources, and unsuccessful initiatives. By establishing a dedicated Business Change Function, businesses can not only navigate transformation more effectively but also create a foundation for continuous improvement.

About BestOutcome

BestOutcome specialises in Project, Programme, and Portfolio Management (PPM) software and services, helping organisations deliver successful business change. Our PM3 software is a leading PMO tool that supports structured, outcome-driven project management.

Our expertise spans a range of industries, including Finance, Energy, Retail, Public Sector, and Manufacturing. As an ISO27001-certified company, we ensure the highest standards of security and compliance, and our PM3 product range is available via the UK Government Digital Marketplace Catalogue.