The Symbiotic Relationship of Project and Change Management

It’s my favorite time of year, fall!

Living in Michigan, I'm fortunate to experience the most beautiful transitions between seasons, and I must say, the shift from summer to fall is particularly special. The crisp air, vibrant foliage, and sense of renewal make this time of year a reminder of the beauty of change. Just as nature moves from one season to another, bringing balance and preparing for what comes next, the disciplines of project and change management work hand in hand to guide organizations through transformation.

In nature, the relationship between summer and fall is symbiotic, meaning that these two seasons support and depend on one another to ensure balance in the environment. Symbiosis is defined as a close, mutually beneficial relationship between different organisms or systems. Summer nurtures growth and abundance, while fall prepares for rest and renewal. Without the fullness of summer, fall wouldn’t be able to set the stage for the next cycle of growth. This harmony in nature parallels the connection between project and change management. These disciplines, though distinct, thrive when they work together toward a common goal.

As a professional who works in both change management and project management, I’m often asked to explain the differences between the two. While both are essential to delivering value to an organization, understanding their unique roles, and their symbiotic relationship, is key to appreciating how they contribute to success.

Let’s first look at project management. At its core, project management is about delivering a specific outcome, product, or service within defined parameters of time, budget, and scope. It’s a structured discipline that ensures that every step along the way is carefully planned, monitored, and controlled to achieve the desired result. A well- managed project is like a productive summer, it brings about growth, delivers on expectations, and builds something tangible.

Now, change management steps in to prepare people, processes, and the organization for the new reality that the project creates. It focuses on the human side of change, how individuals adapt to new systems, processes, or ways of working. In the same way fall helps nature transition toward dormancy and prepare for winter, change management helps ensure that once a project’s outcomes are delivered, they are embraced and sustained by the people who are impacted by them. It’s about ensuring that change sticks and the benefits of the project are realized in the long term.

While project management might define “what” will change (e.g., the implementation of a new technology or system), change management defines “how” that change will be adopted and supported by the people who will be using it. When these two disciplines work together, the result is a holistic approach to transformation. Projects get delivered on time and within scope, and people are ready, willing, and able to embrace the changes those projects bring.

Without project management, change efforts might lack structure, fail to meet deadlines, or go over budget. Similarly, without change management, projects can succeed on paper but fail in practice because the people needed to make the change a reality haven’t been fully prepared. Just as summer and fall depend on each other for balance in the natural world, project and change management depend on each other to ensure organizational success.

Think of project management as the “summer” of organizational transformation. It brings about growth, delivers the new tools, processes, or structures that the organization needs to thrive. But without change management, the “fall” the organization may not be ready to fully embrace or benefit from those changes. Fall clears the path for the next season of growth by helping people let go of the old and embrace the new.

Recognizing the symbiotic relationship between project and change management mirrors the natural balance of change. Just as each season plays a crucial role in the cycle of growth and renewal, project and change management are partners in guiding organizations through successful transformations. By understanding and embracing both disciplines, organizations can move through change with confidence and clarity, ensuring both the delivery of key outcomes and the adoption of new ways of working. As we witness the beauty of summer transitioning into fall, let’s also appreciate how these disciplines come together to create lasting value for our organizations.