In change management, what is the initial step a change agent should take to implement change?

• A. Create urgency
• B. Identify stakeholders
• C. Draft a policy
• D. Develop budget

Answer: (A)

Generating a sense of urgency is the first move in change management because people and organizations tend to resist what they don’t feel is necessary right now. When a compelling reason to change is communicated—highlighting risks of staying the same and the benefits of moving forward—it creates motivation, captures attention, and mobilizes energy and resources. That urgency lays the groundwork for building support, aligning leadership, and guiding the next steps.

Once there is a felt need to act, you can more effectively engage the right people and resources, such as forming a guiding coalition and communicating a clear vision. Drafting policies or creating a budget without that initial momentum tends to falter because there isn’t enough buy-in or urgency to justify the desired changes. Identifying stakeholders is important, but it usually comes after you’ve established why the change is necessary and who needs to contribute to making it happen.