Playbook
Change · Playbook
Transformation Playbook
An eight-stage blueprint for People leaders delivering transformative change across ways of working and operations. Built for high-impact projects of four to six weeks or more.
Welcome
Transformation projects impact a lot of people. They need a different toolkit to everyday HR delivery. This playbook draws from Open Org experience across 30+ companies, from 10-person startups to post-IPO scale-ups, and blends Kotter, organisational development, design thinking, and change management practice.
Work through eight stages from sparking urgency to embedding change in everyday rituals. Each stage includes Open Org guidance, key activities, and a checklist to adapt for your transformation.
When you are ready to adapt this for your context, hit Build this for me with AI at the bottom of the page. Open Org Workspace AI will help you tailor the playbook to your transformation and produce outputs you can export to Word or paste into Notion.
About this playbook
Who it is for
People leaders who want to deliver transformative change to business-wide ways of working and operations, using principles and guiding stages to maximise alignment, transparency, engagement, and project success.
What it is
A high-level blueprint to adapt and tailor to your context. A compass for larger projects (high impact, four to six weeks or more).
What it is not
A blanket template for every project. This is definitely not a framework for JFDIs.
Eight stages
A compass for high-impact projects. Jump to a stage or work through them in order.
Stage 1
Spark urgency
Create a forward-looking case for change.
Stage 2
Rally change makers
Identify advocates and co-create the problem.
Stage 3
Craft vision and roadmap
Set goals, quick wins, and a comms plan.
Stage 4
Amplify
Repeat the core message across channels.
Stage 5
Mobilise and intervene
Remove blockers, test, and iterate.
Stage 6
Celebrate progress and fine-tune
Spotlight wins and adapt from feedback.
Stage 7
Keep the flame alive
Check in and recognise champions.
Stage 8
Embed
Root change in rituals and process.
Stage 1
Spark urgency
Create a forward-looking case for change.
Key activities
- Strategic storytelling: a forward-looking vision tied to business impact
- Drive awareness with stories, metrics, and the cost of inaction
Checklist for this section
- Clear narrative on why change is needed now
- Business impact and risks of standing still articulated
- Messaging tested with a small leadership group
Stage 2
Rally change makers
Identify advocates and co-create the problem.
Key activities
- Map stakeholder dynamics and change advocates
- Crowd-source ideas on the problem, benefits, and prototype
Checklist for this section
- Key stakeholders and advocates identified
- Co-creation session held on problem statement
- Early prototype or pilot concept agreed
Stage 3
Craft vision and roadmap
Set goals, quick wins, and a comms plan.
Key activities
- Goal-setting with tangible measures and quick wins on the roadmap
- Comms plan and stakeholder feedback loop in place
Checklist for this section
- Success measures defined and shared
- Roadmap includes at least one quick win in the first phase
- Supporter and detractor engagement plans documented
Stage 4
Amplify
Repeat the core message across channels.
Key activities
- Dynamic communication across channels with a consistent core message
- Lead by example: leadership presence and aligned messaging
Checklist for this section
- Core message documented and used consistently
- Leadership visibly championing the change
- Comms cadence agreed and underway
Stage 5
Mobilise and intervene
Remove blockers, test, and iterate.
Key activities
- Tackle roadblocks that slow the initiative
- Test and scale: beta in selected teams, refine, iterate
Checklist for this section
- Known blockers surfaced with owners and timelines
- Beta or pilot running in at least one team
- Learnings shared openly, including what did not work
Stage 6
Celebrate progress and fine-tune
Spotlight wins and adapt from feedback.
Key activities
- Highlight success stories from the transformation
- Pivot and progress: reassess regularly from feedback
Checklist for this section
- Early wins celebrated org-wide
- Feedback loop reviewed on a fixed cadence
- Roadmap adjusted based on what you learned
Stage 7
Keep the flame alive
Check in and recognise champions.
Key activities
- Feedback as fuel: regular check-ins on how changes land
- Champion recognition for teams living the new ways
Checklist for this section
- Pulse or check-in mechanism in place
- Champions identified and recognised
- Gaps in adoption addressed, not ignored
Stage 8
Embed
Root change in rituals and process.
Key activities
- Cultural imprint: embed in rituals, reports, and process
- Iterative expansion: revisit and scout further enhancements
Checklist for this section
- New practices written into process or handbook
- Ownership transferred from project to line leadership
- Review date set for the next expansion or iteration
Inspired by
Books and resources that shaped this playbook.
Books
Leading Change
John P. Kotter
Switch
Chip Heath and Dan Heath
Drive
Daniel H. Pink
The Fifth Discipline
Peter M. Senge
Organizational Culture and Leadership
Edgar H. Schein
Good to Great
Jim Collins
Dare to Lead
Brené Brown
Reinventing Organizations
Frederic Laloux
The Lean Startup
Eric Ries
Sprint
Jake Knapp
This Is Service Design Doing
Stickdorn et al.
Blogs and online resources
More open resources
Other free templates and diagnostics from Open Org.
Communication Blueprints
Choose the right communication mode for transformation updates and difficult moments.
Values Evolution Blueprint
Co-create values and behaviours that transformation can embed.
Transparency Charter Template
Build trust and alignment with a documented approach to openness.
Culture Heatmap
Score 29 culture statements across nine areas to see where your organisation is thriving.
Compensation Philosophy Template
Design and document how your organisation pays people, with handbook examples and checklists.
Want help applying this in your org?
Join Open Org WorkspaceOpen Org Transformation Playbook. Adapt freely for your organisation.