ABC Change Model - Balanced Foundations

What is it?

The ABC Change Model - Balanced Foundations template is a structured and interactive tool designed for coaches, mentors, consultants, Agile practitioners, and organisational leaders.

It helps individuals, teams, and organisations identify what they want to ACHIEVE, encouraging reflection on both BEHAVIOURS (the internal, human elements such as decisions, habits, and collaboration) and CAPABILITIES (the external systems, structures, and tools that support success). This balance is essential for achieving sustainable and meaningful change.

The template guides users through targeted prompts to uncover the behavioural and systemic elements critical for progress. It helps identify what needs to change, prioritise actions, and avoid imbalances between human and systemic factors.

Lightweight, easy to use, and adaptable, the ABC Change Model - Balanced Foundations template is effective for both individual coaching and complex organisational change initiatives.

Who is it for?

• Coaches and Mentors: Supporting individuals to align their Behaviours and Capabilities for personal growth.

• Consultants and Leaders: Guiding teams and organisations through transformation and change initiatives.

• Agile Practitioners and Facilitators: Facilitating team discussions around human and systemic alignment.

• Teams and Organisations: Bringing clarity and alignment to change initiatives and team goals.

How to use it

1. Initiate the Exploration

Introduce the template’s structure, purpose, and intent. Explain how it helps surface insights about Behaviours and Capabilities and informs the plan to achieve the desired outcome.

2. Start with the Outcome (ACHIEVE)

Guide participants to articulate what they want to ACHIEVE:

• What is the desired outcome?

• Where is the need for this outcome coming from?

• What is stopping you from achieving it today?

• What does success look like in measurable terms?

3. Explore BEHAVIOURS

Facilitate a discussion about the behavioural elements needed to support the outcome:

• What Behaviours are supporting or hindering progress?

• What habits, decisions, or communication styles need adjustment?

• How might trust, feedback, or collaboration need to evolve?

• What changes to Behaviours would bring you closer to your outcome?

4. Examine CAPABILITIES

Shift the focus to the external systems and structures that enable success:

• What Capabilities (tools, processes, or resources) are required?

• Are reward systems, metrics, and organisational roles aligned with the outcome?

• What changes to plans, governance, or physical spaces are needed?

• What new Capabilities should be introduced or adapted?

5. Ensure Balance

Revisit the identified Behaviours and Capabilities to ensure alignment:

• Are Behaviours and Capabilities reinforcing each other?

• Are there gaps, mismatches, or imbalances that need attention?

• Adjust the plan to prioritise actions that integrate both Behaviours and Capabilities.

• Iterate and refine your approach to maintain balance and sustainability.

When to use it

The ABC Change Model - Balanced Foundations template is effective for:

• Initial engagements: Establishing clear outcomes, behavioural changes, and capability needs early on.

• Mid-programme interventions: Realigning efforts when encountering resistance or misalignment.

• Team workshops: Creating shared understanding and alignment on goals and needs.

• One-on-one coaching: Providing structure to explore personal or professional growth areas.

By encouraging a balance between Behaviours and Capabilities, this template empowers individuals and teams to build actionable, sustainable plans for meaningful change.

References

• Learn more about the ABC Change Model at https://github.com/tomhoyland/abc/wiki/ABC-Change-Model