The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Change Readiness Analyst (L2)
2-3 yearsSkills to master
- Mastering change impact assessments, developing basic communication plans, analysing survey data, and managing small stakeholder groups. Demonstrating independent ownership of deliverables.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivers high-quality work without close supervision.
- Proactively identifies and proposes solutions to problems.
- Receives positive feedback from project teams and stakeholders on their contributions.
- Shows initiative in taking on more complex tasks or mentoring new joiners.
- 2
Business Analyst (with Change Focus)
3-5 yearsSkills to master
- Deep understanding of business processes, requirements gathering, and translating business needs into technical solutions. Developing a strong 'people-side' lens on technical changes.
You're ready to move on when
- Has led the 'people' aspect of at least one significant project.
- Can clearly articulate the human impact of technical changes.
- Is sought out by project teams for insights beyond just technical requirements.
- Has a good grasp of change management methodologies.
- 3
HR Business Partner (with Project Experience)
4-6 yearsSkills to master
- Strong employee relations, talent management, and organisational development experience. Developing a structured approach to managing change across different employee segments.
You're ready to move on when
- Has been involved in HR aspects of major organisational changes (e.g., restructures, system implementations).
- Understands the employee lifecycle and how change impacts it.
- Has a strong network within HR and across the business.
- Can demonstrate an ability to influence and guide leaders through people-related challenges.