Mountain Model of Change and Transition

Change can be classified into three different types: developmental, transitional, and transformational.

• Developmental change involves a simple movement and may be gradual. An example is learning a new skill or task.
• Transitional change involves movement from old to new in which both the old and the new are known quantities. There is a beginning and an end to the change, both of which have been defined. There could be turmoil during the transition, but the final outcome is visible. An example is moving from an individual contributor to a supervisory role on a project.
• Transformational change involves movement from the known to the unknown. It is often the most difficult type of change to deal with. It can be exciting but stressful at the same time. An example is the implementation of EFS.

The mountain model of change and transition illustrates the stages involved in transformational change. The stages are based on the work of noted psychiatrist Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross; they apply to all kinds of change, personal as well as professional.

Click here to view a list of strategies for getting out of the "pit."

Roll your mouse over a number on the graphic below to learn more about each stage of transition.