Organizational Change Management Architect™ Designation – Why It’s a Must-Have for ITSM Professionals

Rolling Meadows, IL – May 15, 2025

The Organizational Change Management Architect^™ designation, offered exclusively by Professional Designations Corp. (PDC), is the only designation in the ITSM space that formally integrates leadership, IT service management systems thinking, and organizational change management as core competencies. The three certifications that are included in this designation equip IT professionals to guide teams with clarity and confidence while ensuring change initiatives align with strategic business outcomes.

Why This Designation Matters
Earning the Organizational Change Management Architect^™ designation is more than adding a credential to your résumé – it’s about acquiring the knowledge and tools to lead real transformation. With change being a constant in today’s digital world, organizations need leaders who can navigate complexity, manage stakeholder expectations, and sustain momentum.

This designation equips you to:

• Understand and apply the 20/20 Change Model to plan, communicate, and implement change effectively
• Develop the leadership skills needed to inspire people through change
• Serve as a bridge between IT initiatives and business goals
• Understand the importance of systems thinking and its relevance to ITSM
• Understand what IT service management and process management really means
• Foster a culture that supports innovation, continuous improvement, and collaboration

Building a Foundation for Leading Change
To achieve the Organizational Change Management Architect^™ designation, candidates must complete three essential PDC certifications:

• The integratedITSM^™ System – Provides a systems-thinking perspective to connect ITSM practices with business value
• integratedITSM^™ Essentials – Teaches nine foundational building blocks to design and improve ITSM processes
• Organizational Change Management – Uses the 20/20 Change Model to provide a structured, people-focused approach to leading change initiatives

The integratedITSM^™ System and integratedITSM^™ Essentials certifications are foundational for every designation within the integratedITSM^™ scheme – and is especially critical for the Organizational Change Management Architect^™ path.

Understanding the nine building blocks of ITSM, along with how to manage key processes like incident, change, and release management, provides the operational insight needed to lead successful change. When combined with the leadership strategies taught in the OCM certification, this foundation enables professionals to approach organizational change with both tactical process knowledge and human-centered leadership.

Many professionals pursue the OCM designation to more effectively manage and improve ITSM processes. But the true advantage lies in the combination – knowing how processes should work and how to lead people through changes that affect them. This intersection is where meaningful transformation happens.

From a career standpoint, the Organizational Change Management Architect^™ designation demonstrates the recipient has completed three rigorous certifications and gained a comprehensive understanding of both structured ITSM practices and dynamic human factors. It’s a powerful asset on paper – and an even greater asset in practice.

The 20/20 Change Model
A key component of this designation is the 20/20 Change Model, a practical framework that guides organizations through four phases:

• Clarify and align – Defines the business objectives and evaluates whether the change is worthwhile and strategically aligned
• Plan and approach – Determines the actions, roles, and methodologies needed to implement change successfully
• Engage and implement – Equips and empowers teams with the knowledge, tools, and motivation to execute the change
• Validate and sustain – Measures success, ensures long-term adoption, and fosters continuous improvement

This model reinforces the idea that change is not just about implementing a new tool or process – it’s about embedding change into the organization's DNA.

Real-World Value
Whether you’re leading a new system rollout, implementing new processes, or improving your organization’s service delivery, the Organizational Change Management Architect^™ designation gives you the confidence to lead with purpose. It not only deepens your understanding of what change means – it prepares you to make it happen.

The ability to manage change effectively is a critical differentiator in IT leadership. This designation helps ITSM professionals advance into roles where they can influence strategy, improve collaboration between departments, and ensure that business and IT priorities stay aligned – even through disruption.

For professionals looking to move into leadership roles, or for current leaders who want to formalize their ability to drive meaningful change, this designation is a smart and strategic investment.

To learn more, contact one of our PDC training partners.