What is the BCF?

The Business Change Framework is, as the name suggests, a framework. It is not a set of rules that you have to follow to the letter. In a business where change takes so many different forms, that just wouldn’t work.

Instead, it’s a method, a way of approaching change. If you follow the ideas behind this method, you’ll increase your chances of success — because you will have planned effectively and engaged people fully throughout the process.

How to use it

The BCF comprises five main phases.

Discover: First, we need to define what we’re trying to achieve.
Design: Next, we need to design a plan.
Deliver: Then we prepare people for the delivery of change.
Transition: We engage people as change is rolled out.
Integrate: Finally, we evaluate and integrate feedback.

Within each phase, there may be multiple steps. For example, the discover phase comprises situation analysis; vision for change; stakeholder and relationship maps; business benefits, financial and people data; people change roles; and project management.

All of this probably sounds very daunting. But in actual fact, you go through all these steps in your everyday life without even realising it. The slideshow below shows you how.

Change in everyday life

Watch how the BCF applies to change in everyday life Play
You’ll think about your current situation.
(Situation analysis)
“My car is getting old”
“It probably won’t pass the MOT”
“I need to make some family trips this year”
You’ll consider why you need to change, what you need to change and how you need to change.
The Why: “Life will get more difficult if I don’t have my own transport”
The What: “I need to sell my car and buy a new one”
The How: “I’ve got to see where the best place to sell my old car is — and start shopping around for a new one”
You’ll think about various people: those who’ll be affected by the change, those whose help you’ll need and anyone else you’ll need to involve.
(Stakeholders)
The Affected: “My family will appreciate having a new car”
The Help: “Uncle Roy knows a lot about cars”
Need to involve: “I’ll have to get in contact with the DVLA and insurance”
You’ll reflect on what you’re going to achieve
(Benefits)
“I won’t have to worry about the MOT this year”
“I’ll be able to make those trips without risking a breakdown”
“The better fuel economy means I’ll save more”
You’ll think about the costs and what information you’ll need
(Finance and data)
The Costs: “If I a buy an £8k car it will cost me £10k on a loan”
The Costs: “On the other hand, I’ll be saving £500 a year on fuel”
The Information: “I’d better check all the review sites and compare prices”
And sometimes, you’ll think about whether you need sponsorship from someone above you.
(People change)
“If I buy an electric car, I’ll get a government subsidy”
So what does this example show?
Simply that you already know how to manage change.
The BCF is there to help you apply these skills at work and show you how to secure support.

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