Kotter’s eight-step change model
Kotter’s original eight-step model links urgency, a guiding coalition, a vision, communication, enabling action, early successes, further improvement and embedding new practices. It provides a structure for diagnosing why change stalls rather than guaranteeing success through a checklist. Later work developed eight accelerators for more continuous change; the versions should be identified rather than silently mixed.
Worked example
A company announces a new process but keeps rewards tied to the old one. The model highlights barriers to action and failure to embed change; another announcement alone is unlikely to solve the problem.
Common mistake
Confusing Kotter’s eight-step model with Kotter and Schlesinger’s approaches to resistance, or declaring success after an early pilot without changing incentives and routines.
Where it appears in your exams
| Qualification | Exam | Relationship | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCA | BT | Supporting | September 2026–June 2027 |
| ACCA | SBL | Supporting | September 2026–June 2027 |
| FIA | FBT | Supporting | September 2026–June 2027 |
