What is Kotter's 8 change management model?
Kotter's 8-Step Model Infographic

Create a sense of urgency, recruit powerful change leaders, build a vision and effectively communicate it, remove obstacles, create quick wins, and build on your momentum. If you do these things, you can help make the change part of your organizational culture.The greatest strength of Kotter's model is its first two steps – creating a sense of urgency and creating the guiding coalition. Far too many leaders lurch into a programme of organisational upheaval without having properly convinced people first that there is a genuine need for change.1. Create a sense of urgency. This first step of Kotter's 8 Step Change Model is the most important step according to John Kotter. By making employees aware of the need and urgency for change, support will be created.

Which company uses Kotter’s 8 step model : NetApp

A company called NetApp which is into cloud data services and data management services have applied kotter's 8 step change model to achieve three strategic goals: Grow market share. Implement global partnerships. Drive efficiencies.

Why is Kotter’s 8 Steps good

The main advantages of Kotter's 8 Step Change Model are:

  • It's a simple step-by-step process that's easy to follow and understand.
  • It's built on a lot of proven research into change management.
  • It covers all aspects of change from cultural through to operational.
  • It has a strong focus on employee buy-in and communication.

What is an example of Kotter’s change model : Kotter's 8 Step Change Model Examples. ABC Elementary School is required to change its student assessment system as a requirement of a new state statute. In order to create urgency, the principal shares with staff the new statute, its deadline, and the benefits of updating the current assessment system.

The Kotter approach to change management breaks down organizational change leadership into the following steps:

  1. Create a sense of urgency.
  2. Form a powerful coalition.
  3. Create a vision for change.
  4. Communicate the vision.
  5. Remove obstacles.
  6. Create short-term wins.
  7. Build on the change.
  8. Anchor the changes in corporate culture.


The Kotter approach to change management breaks down organizational change leadership into the following steps:

  1. Create a sense of urgency.
  2. Form a powerful coalition.
  3. Create a vision for change.
  4. Communicate the vision.
  5. Remove obstacles.
  6. Create short-term wins.
  7. Build on the change.
  8. Anchor the changes in corporate culture.

Is Kotter a top down approach

Another issue to be aware of is that Kotter's model describes a top-down approach to change management, which may not be suitable for some organisations. Kotter's experience in change management has been gained as a result of working with big corporations to deliver large-scale change.The main advantages of Kotter's 8 Step Change Model are:

  • It's a simple step-by-step process that's easy to follow and understand.
  • It's built on a lot of proven research into change management.
  • It covers all aspects of change from cultural through to operational.
  • It has a strong focus on employee buy-in and communication.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Kotter's Change Model

  • Easy-to-follow process.
  • The model is well-known and has proven successful for many years.
  • The model focuses a lot on the employee, which is generally one aspect that fails in change management.


8 Steps in Kotter's Change Model

  • 1- Create Urgency. The first step is to create a sense of urgency about the need for change.
  • 2- Put A Team Together.
  • 3- Develop Vision and Strategies.
  • 4- Communicate the Change Vision.
  • 5- Remove Obstacles.
  • 6- Set Short-Term Goals.
  • 7- Keep the Momentum.
  • 8- Make The Change Stick.

Is Kotter’s model linear : John Kotter's book Leading Change introduced the 8 Steps framework. His subsequent Harvard Business Review article and book, Accelerate, modernized the 8 Steps by evolving it from a linear model built for episodic change into an iterative model suited for today's world, where change is constant.

What are the problems with Kotter’s model : The Kotter's 8-step model is not without its limitations and difficulties, such as requiring a high level of leadership and communication skills, as well as a willingness to change and adapt. It can also be time-consuming and resource-intensive, especially in large and complex organizations.

What is the disadvantage of Kotter’s 8 step model

Here are some of the drawbacks of Kotter's 8-step change model: Some steps remain unclear: While some steps provide you with examples of how to make your way through the change process, other steps don't provide you with enough guidance to help you sustain the implemented change.

One of the main benefits of using Kotter's 8-step model is that it provides a clear and structured roadmap for change that can be applied to various types of changes and contexts.The Kotter's 8-step model is not without its limitations and difficulties, such as requiring a high level of leadership and communication skills, as well as a willingness to change and adapt. It can also be time-consuming and resource-intensive, especially in large and complex organizations.

What is a Kotter : Kötter, a type of European cottager.