Infographic: Data on How the ADKAR Model Drives Change

Once people understand the Prosci ADKAR Model, they tend to fall in love. They shamelessly wear ADKAR glasses at conferences and start using ADKAR as a verb (e.g., “I just ‘ADKAR-ed’ that senior leader big time!”). And I’ve had more than one person threaten to get an ADKAR tattoo. Why are people so fanatical about the ADKAR Model? We set out to answer this question and understand how change professionals are using it in unique ways, in the Applications of ADKAR research study. 

Over the past two decades, the ADKAR Model has become one of the most prevalent change models in the world, with private- and public-sector organizations finding value in its simplicity and effectiveness. While the model’s original intention was to articulate individual change milestones, change practitioners have found creative ways to leverage it to drive change in their organizations.

Prosci endeavored to understand these uses, their effectiveness and best practices through the Applications of ADKAR research study. Over 400 change professionals responded, giving insight into how to effectively expand the use of the ADKAR Model. Below is an infographic outlining all seven uses we identified, with prevalence among participants and the overall effectiveness reported: