Can a Project Manager do the job of a Change Manager?

Can a Project Manager do the job of a Change Manager?....


Definitely not a new debate, but something that I am hearing a fair bit these days...'don't worry Jonty, we don't need a Change Manager, we've got a Project Manager'.

Of course, I am coming at this from a biased standpoint but here is my two cents worth...

Firstly, let’s clear up a common misconception, just because a project is delivered doesn’t mean the change has landed.

Project Managers and Change Managers work side by side, but their roles are fundamentally different. A Project Manager is there to make sure the solution is delivered on time, on budget, and within scope. They focus on tasks, timelines, resources, and risks. Their job is to bring the project to life.

But once the solution is ready, what then?

That’s where the Change Manager comes in. Their focus isn’t on the system, the process, or the product. It’s on the people. How are employees reacting to the change? Are they ready for it? Do they understand why it’s happening and how it affects them? Are they actually going to use the new thing once it’s launched?

Change Managers make sure the human side of change isn’t left behind. They build engagement, manage resistance, and help people move from awareness to adoption.

Asking a Project Manager to also do change management is like asking a pilot to do air traffic control mid-flight. Both are critical, but they serve very different purposes.

This isn't me downplaying the Project Managers role, both are equally important! Real transformation happens when both roles are present and working together.

I do appreciate for some of my network; this is pretty basic stuff and lots of companies I work with are pretty well advanced with their Change capability which is great to see. This is more of a flag to those who are maybe starting out, working out what Change means to them and how they can manage change better.