How do you know if your change project is successful?

I would say the best advice I can give you is to include your stakeholders when defining their metrics. Traditionally metrics are defined top-down, with little involvement from those who have to deliver them. Turn the process around, and you'll see much more engagement.

Don’t try to define success without the change sponsors and senior leaders implementing the change. In fast-paced environments (such as in smaller companies or startups), it can be tempting to “get it done” without thoroughly discussing and analyzing the results leaders want to see from the change. For shared understanding and alignment, it’s best to identify what success looks like as a change team as early as possible.

Some ways to get started, Consider interpersonal dynamics and define what many may ignore. Discuss the following questions with your key partners and collaborators: How will we handle conflict? What tools might we need to maintain our focus and emotional self-regulation during difficult moments in our work? How are we identifying and centering the experiences of those who are often excluded in conversations about change and transformation? How will we manage adversarial behaviors that may arise as a response to fear of change over time?

Data-driven insights to power the change, quantifiable outcomes, empathy driven well crafted and consistent communications, focus on personas (people first), and stakeholder management are key to success of a change execution.

Defining the goals and objectives of your change initiative is great but be careful when talking about expected outcomes, not to jump into solution mode or make assumptions without the necessary data to back it up! Trust the process and stick to DMAIC method or whatever method you are using.

The feedback loop or reflections piece is critical! It works really well to include a reflection session after each sprint if you are following an agile approach!

You're on a wild roller coaster called "Change Project Success," and as you zoom through twists and turns, you spot cheerful monkeys in business suits applauding your every milestone from the treetops. The roller coaster tracks are paved with high-fives and victory confetti, while a team of singing dolphins high-fives you from a nearby pool, serenading you with a tune of triumphant transformation!

Before committing and allocating any resources (including time) I suggest performing a cost-benefit analysis to ensure that the proposed change will yield the desired results