Edward Carpenter FRSA, a Lead for Local Economic Development/Risk & Compliance Manager at RBH explains how the CHAMPS2 certification truly helped him understand and mitigate risks ensuring that change is fully embedded in the business.
Edward recently undertook the CHAMPS2 Foundation and Practitioner courses at Aston Community learning Centre. The centre is part of the Birmingham Adult Education Service.
APMG: Your Thoughts On CHAMPS2 PROCESS?
Edward: I have to say I think the course represented time and money very well spent. I walked away at the end of the week having a really thorough understanding of the CHAMPS2 process. It is a process which to me seems to capture decades of hard won experience. It is clear, comprehensive in several respects, incorporates best practice and allows for its flexible application. What makes me feel CHAMPS2 is really effective is the prominence it gives to quality controlling each phase of transformational change management and more particularly the strong emphasis it puts on actually tracking and realising the benefits resulting from the change. The process seems to inherently understand and control the key risks which often undermine effective change. It enables the change to be led by a clear, unconstrained vision which it gradually builds into a fully designed, tested and implemented solution. It identifies lessons for “next time”, considers how stakeholders should be effectively managed and makes sure any change is fully embedded within the business.
APMG: Your Experience Of The Training?
Edward: I joined at the start of the course on the Monday morning having conducted a handful of hours of preparation using the excellent free online CHAMPS2 e-learning course.
The Aston Community Centre is located not far from the centre of Birmingham and the facilities were excellent. There was plenty of on and off site parking. The centre was secure, comfortable and accessible. The classroom itself was spacious and fitted with up to date teaching technology. Good quality tea, coffee and other hot drinks were readily available.
On arrival I was provided with the latest copy of the excellent CHAMPS2 manual and a bound copy of all the slides and student training materials. The tutor Pete was really dedicated to making sure we were well prepared for the Foundation and Practitioner Exams. The course allowed focussed attention on areas that I felt I needed greater understanding on. Pete made absolutely sure we were comfortable with the material we were being asked to learn.
The way the course is structured and presented in the classes and the manual means the material sinks in automatically. The teaching method builds up detail in steps and cross references in a way that assists long term memory. Some homework in the evening helps to re-enforce the learning.
APMG: How you think the course has benefited you to now apply the knowledge gained to your organisation/department?
Edward: In the last two years working in public services, I have seen they are having to transform themselves more than ever before. The best way to do this effectively whilst minimising the significant associated risks is to adopt a tried and tested method which whilst generic, remains comprehensive and flexible to almost any programme of change. This means on my return to work I was immediately able to put my new CHAMPS2 process knowledge to work – sometimes only a few parts of the process at a time and other times a more comprehensive application of the process.
ENDS
To find out more information about the CHAMPS2 process and certification, click here.
