Framework 203 APMG Champs 2 Model
Introduction
CHAMPS2 (pronounced “Champs Two”) stands for Change Management and Performance System.
It was developed by Birmingham City Council (UK).
Its purpose is to provide a universal, repeatable and benefit-driven framework for managing major organisational change and transformation.
It is primarily used in public sector programs, but its logic applies widely across industries.
The framework is structured around:
- Seven Guiding Principles
- A Process Flow of 8 High-Level Phases
- A strong emphasis on benefits, stakeholders, and governance
(source: Madel, Monika et al, 2021)
A. The 7 CHAMPS2 Principles
These are the non-negotiables that underpin every project:
1. Benefits-Driven
Focus on the why, ensuring all activity links to measurable benefits.
2. Stakeholder-Focused
Engage the right people early and continuously.
3. Blueprint-Led
Create a clear future-state design (the target operating model).
4. Whole-System Thinking
Understand impacts across people, process, policy, technology, etc.
5. Design for Sustainable Change
Ensure changes endure beyond implementation.
6. Learning from Experience
Iterate, capture lessons, and reuse them.
7. Integrated Delivery
Break silos; integrate governance, people, technology, and process.
B. CHAMPS2 High-Level Process (8 Phases)
These phases form a structured transformation lifecycle:
- Mandate – establish the need for change
- Understand – diagnose current state, stakeholders, and problems
- Define – create future-state blueprint and benefit profiles
- Develop – design detailed solutions
- Deliver – implement solutions incrementally
- Realise – measure and track benefits
- Close – formally close the program
- Adopt – embed and sustain the changes long term
(Note: Some versions merge “Close” and “Adopt.”)
(main sources: Madel, Monika et al, 2021; Birmingham City Council, 2010)