The California Project Management Office (CA-PMO) has developed the California Organizational Change Management Framework (CA-OCM or OCM Framework) to provide project practitioners with a practical guide for managing change within an organization. The CA-OCM provides guidance on OCM methods and approaches through the use of resources, tools, and templates, as well as narrative describing when and how specific OCM activities may be performed throughout the Project Management Lifecycle (PMLC). The CA-OCM is a companion framework to the California Project Management Framework (CA-PMF) and the California Business Process Reengineering Framework (CA-BPR).
The CA-OCM is designed to assist organizations in managing the people-side of change in order to achieve business outcomes associated with that change. These changes can be driven by implementation of a new mandate, process, technology, or strategy. While the CA-OCM is written in the context of information technology (IT) implementation efforts, it is applicable to any type of project that requires an organization, its groups, and its people to change.
Explore an overview of the OCM Framework and access the templates by navigating the web content below. Alternatively,
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Organizational Change Management (OCM) is a discipline that helps organizations implement change to achieve measurable results in their business strategies, work processes, structures, technologies, organizational cultures, and management styles. OCM takes into consideration the complete organization and how the people need to change. The CA-OCM provides a set of activities that:
Organizational Change Management (OCM) is a discipline that follows a consistent series of activities. The CA-OCM provides standardized templates to accompany key activities. These templates are a core component of the CA-OCM and will help the OCM Practitioner document activities and provide clear, meaningful results. In some cases, the CA-OCM refers to these templates as “tools.” A template, just like any other tool, helps get the job done.
Download Complete CA-OCM Template Collection
The CA-OCM templates include detailed instructions and example text to assist with completion. The following table contains a link to download the complete collection of the CA-OCM templates.
Download CA-OCM Templates by Process Phase or Individually
The following table contains the templates that accompany the CA-OCM separated by Process Phase. Next to each is a brief description and corresponding link to download. Click “Download” to access the template.
Note: A selection of templates are used throughout multiple process phases in the CA-OCM. Where this occurs, the template is listed in both process phases in the table below. Also included in this table are CA-PMF templates which have been leveraged to support OCM activities. These are identified with (CA-PMF) after the template name. View all CA-PMF templates.
Process Phase / Template Name
Description of Template
Template with Instructions
The CA-OCM is comprised of eight chapters. These chapters organize content into logical domains to help readers easily navigate the document. The eight chapters of the OCM framework are:
The CA-OCM is comprised of six knowledge areas. A knowledge area groups a set of OCM activities that share a common purpose and objective and can span across multiple PMLC process phases. The purpose of the OCM knowledge areas is to group the concepts the OCM Practitioner needs to understand and the associated activities he/she will need to perform. It is important to note that knowledge areas and their associated activities often have interdependencies and interrelationships with other OCM knowledge areas. The six knowledge areas of the CA-OCM are:
OCM Lifecycle Management focuses on managing the performance of the OCM effort through the planning and scheduling of OCM activities. These activities guide the direction and govern the sequence and resourcing of all other knowledge area activities. OCM Lifecycle Management requires continuous coordination with the Project Manager to ensure the OCM effort is integrated with other project activities and milestones.
Communication focuses on ensuring a common understanding of the change effort through communication and feedback activities. It works to inform and engage those involved with and affected by the change initiative. Communication is a vital component of the OCM effort as it creates awareness and understanding of the change to obtain Stakeholder buy-in and reduce employee resistance.
Leadership Support focuses on ensuring that leadership at all levels demonstrates visible support for the change. Leadership Support activities guide the effort to engage and support all leaders influential to or impacted by the change, from the Project Sponsor to managers and supervisors. These leaders, in turn, provide visible change support and serve as role models to other Stakeholders.
Team Dynamics focuses on creating and maintaining high performing teams. Team Dynamics activities are tailored around team and individual expectations and guidelines and are designed to create a positive and collaborative working environment. Team Dynamics may focus on the project team and sub teams, or any other collaborative group.
Stakeholder Enrollment focuses on ensuring Stakeholder buy-in. Stakeholders include persons or groups who are directly or indirectly affected by a project, as well as those who may have the ability to influence its outcome. Stakeholder Enrollment builds on the Stakeholder identification, analysis, and management activities that are prescribed by the CA-PMF. Efforts in this knowledge area serve to connect with Stakeholders at all levels to ensure they are informed and accepting of the change initiative.
Training focuses on ensuring end users have the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) they need to transition and be successful in a new environment. Activities in this knowledge area plan for, build, and implement a training program that allows end users to be better prepared to adopt the new system.
Tailoring Your OCM Efforts
The CA-OCM provides guidance on when specific knowledge area activities should occur during a project and aligns them with the PMLC, however, each OCM Practitioner will need to determine the relative applicability and timing of each knowledge area for their organization and project. Guidance on how to approach tailoring OCM efforts to specific projects and project needs is provided throughout the CA-OCM.
The figure below depicts a single, overarching goal for each knowledge area in addition to specific knowledge area goals within each process phase where there are associated activities.
The CA-OCM contains seven categories of information to help the OCM Practitioner navigate the framework. These categories, referred to as key elements, include:
The following list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) questions have been developed to help you navigate the CA-OCM. If you have a question that is not addressed, feel free to contact us.
Links to Questions1. What is OCM and do I need it?
OCM stands for Organizational Change Management. OCM is a discipline that helps organizations implement change initiatives by applying structure and thoughtful consideration to activities that lead the people within an organization through the transition. Any change initiative that affects the people within an organization can benefit from OCM. Incorporating OCM practices in your project plan will help your organization manage the people side of change.
2. What is the purpose of the CA-OCM?
The purpose of the CA-OCM is to assist organizations in managing the people-side of change in order to achieve business outcomes associated with that change. OCM facilitates the transition of individuals, teams, and organizations to a future state to achieve business benefits. While the CA-OCM is written in the context of information technology (IT) implementation efforts, it is applicable to any type of project that requires an organization, its groups, and its people to change.
3. What is the audience of the CA-OCM?
The intended audience for the CA-OCM includes project practitioners involved in initiatives that affect the people within an organization. The CA-OCM provides helpful information to the Project Sponsor, project participants, and Stakeholders regarding OCM concepts and best practices. The guidance and advice contained in the CA-OCM emphasizes the importance of people skills, good judgment, and effective communications in the successful delivery of projects.
4. How was the CA-OCM developed?
The CA-OCM was developed by the California Project Management Office (CA-PMO) of the California Department of Technology (CDT) to provide a practical guide for managing change within an organization.
5. Are Agencies and state entities (including their vendors or contractors) required to use the CA-OCM even though they may have their own or other tools?
The use of the CA-OCM is not mandated, but it does provide a foundation of best practice guidance for state organizations to leverage when undergoing an OCM effort. This is unlike the CA-PMF where agencies and state entities must follow the CA-PMF unless they have an alternative PMBOK-based framework that is comparable, as stated in 4819.31 of SAM Section 4800.
6. How does the CA-OCM relate to the CA-PMF?
The CA-OCM aligns with the CA-PMF and other frameworks that support the project delivery effort. CA-OCM activities span the Project Management Lifecycle (PMLC) and are grouped within PMLC process phases like the CA-PMF. It is important to recognize the integration points among the different frameworks and their associated lifecycles.
7. How does the CA-OCM relate to the Project Approval Lifecycle (PAL)?
The PAL is the state’s process for approving IT projects. The PAL is intended to ensure projects are undertaken with clear business objectives, accurate costs, and realistic schedules. The CA-OCM provides guidance that can be leveraged when preparing materials required by PAL in areas that address organizational change management.
8. I have a question that is not addressed regarding the CA-OCM. Who can I contact?
The CA-OCM aligns with the CA-PMF and other frameworks that support the project implementation effort. CA-OCM activities span the PMLC and are grouped within PMLC process phases. It is important to recognize the integration points among the different frameworks and their associated lifecycles. The OCM lifecycle refers to a series of activities that are conducted to address the people-side of a change initiative. Access related frameworks here.
