Resistance to change is a common obstacle in SAP projects, often threatening timelines, budgets, and user adoption. One of the most effective strategies to combat this resistance is leveraging change champions—influential individuals within the organization who actively support and promote the change. Change champions serve as trusted advocates, bridging the gap between project teams and end users, and helping to foster a positive environment for SAP transformations.
Change champions are typically respected employees across different business units or departments who:
SAP changes impact diverse user groups with varying levels of comfort and familiarity with the system. Project teams cannot always address individual concerns or local challenges effectively on their own. Change champions help by:
People are more likely to accept change when they see peers successfully adapting to it. Change champions model desired behaviors and encourage others through informal influence rather than formal authority.
Champions understand the specific needs, concerns, and culture of their teams. They tailor messages and support to address local realities, making change feel more relevant and achievable.
Change champions serve as conduits for information, ensuring that user feedback, questions, and concerns reach project leaders, who can then respond appropriately.
Since champions are embedded within teams, they can spot early signs of resistance or confusion and act promptly to address them before issues escalate.
Look for individuals with credibility, willingness, and influence. Engage business leaders in identifying potential champions.
Clarify what is expected from champions, including communication responsibilities, participation in training, and advocacy activities.
Equip champions with detailed information about the SAP change, tools to communicate effectively, and access to support from the project team.
Give champions authority to influence within their teams, and recognize their contributions through formal acknowledgment or incentives.
Encourage champions to collaborate, share best practices, and support each other across the organization.
Regularly check in with champions, provide updates, and gather feedback to refine change management approaches.
Success can be measured through:
Using change champions is a powerful and proven approach to overcoming resistance in SAP change management. These influential individuals amplify project communication, provide trusted support, and create grassroots momentum that helps embed change across the organization. By carefully selecting, empowering, and supporting change champions, SAP projects can realize smoother transitions, higher adoption rates, and ultimately, greater business value.