WITH global research indicating that nearly 70 per cent of change programmes fall short of their intended objectives, the Government has taken a step towards modernising public administration and enhancing service delivery with the launch of ‘The Change Evangelist — Tool for Effective Management’ — a digital playbook aimed at transforming how change is managed across the public sector.

The playbook, which was developed by the Transformation Implementation Unit (TIU), is positioned as a practical guide to drive effective and sustainable transformation across government ministries, departments, and agencies.

Built on the Government’s eight-step change experience and adapted from Dr John Kotter’s internationally recognised change model, the playbook blends theory with real-world application, featuring tools, templates, and case studies specifically tailored to Jamaica’s public service context.

“The change evangelist is not merely a handbook, it is the button, the motor, the blueprint, the maintenance plan, and the fuel. It shows us how to move, not as individuals in silence, but as a unified force with purpose and plan,”said Maria Thompson Walters, executive director of TIU during the launch held at AC Marriot Hotel in Kingston on Wednesday.

Thompson Walters revealed that the playbook was named in honour of the late Dr Marvia Evangelist Roach, a pioneer in public sector change management.

She said the initiative is as much a tribute as it is a strategic resource, as Roach’s legacy lives on in the culture of transformation she inspired.

“Although we lost her in 2021, her legacy lives on… we honour her memory today with deep respect and lasting gratitude,” said Thompson Walters.

She pointed out that the effort to create a methodology to improve change management in the public sector is not just about knowledge transfer, but it is about cultivating a movement of capable and confident change leaders within the public sector.

“Like many governments worldwide, we face entrenched challenges, bureaucratic deficiencies, fragmented systems, limited resources, and of course, a natural resistance to change. At the same time though, our citizens are demanding more. The world is moving, and as a consequence of that, we have to move with it.

“Our citizens want transparency, responsiveness, accountability, agility, a digitally enabled and citizen-focused Government and this cannot be achieved by policy alone, it demands action-focused transformation, change at our very core,” said Thompson Walters.

In the meantime, Minister of Finance and the Public Service Fayval Williams, who formally launched the playbook, underscored the importance of implementation in the transformation journey as she pointed to the urgent need for a responsive and forward-thinking public service.

“Since assuming portfolio responsibility for the public service last year, I have certainly felt the weight of expectations, not just from within the system, but from the Jamaican people. They are asking us to deliver more in a much shorter time, and I can say that they are right to do so,” said Williams.

The finance minister acknowledged that while some improvements have been made many challenges persist — particularly those which hinder efficiency and innovation.

“Like many nations, Jamaica faces some inherited, others emerging, challenges. These challenges demand that we reimagine how our public sector operates. Key among these challenges are inefficiency and outdated systems that stand in the way of growth and innovation and we have been identifying those systems and taking steps and, again, the work is going on.

“It might not be visible to you yet, but in time I know that some of these systems will emerge for all of us. So while strides have been made over the years, we must now take decisive and bold steps to modernise, streamline, and reposition the public sector,” said Williams.

She said the playbook will help turn plans into action by boosting digitisation, staff capacity, and citizen-focused accountability.“Phase 1 of the Public Sector Transformation Programme laid a solid foundation [and] we are now in the final stages of approval for the next phase, and I am excited about what it represents. The new chapter will accelerate digitisation to improve accessibility and transparency. It will build capacity within the public service so our officers are equipped for the 21st-century challenges. It will drive results by embedding performance, accountability, and citizen experience at the heart of public service delivery,” she added.

Williams also issued a rallying call to public officers to adopt the playbook, not as a one-off publication, but as a tool to guide daily decision-making and engagement.

“In transforming the Jamaican public sector, it is not merely about fixing what is broken. It is about reimagining what is possible. It is about creating a system that serves its citizens with excellence, empowers its workforce, and stands resilient against the challenges of tomorrow,” declared Williams.