WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
Change Management (C721)
NJP1 TASK 1 PREPARATION
Updated Edition with Complete Solution
110 Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales
Comprehensive Coverage of Task 1 Rubric Components & Change Management Competencies
Total Questions 110 across 8 sections
Cognitive Levels 25% Recall | 55% Application | 20% Analysis
Question Style 75% Scenario/Application-based | 25% Direct Recall
Format NCLEX-style 4-option multiple choice
Frameworks Covered Kotter, Lewin, ADKAR, Bridges, Rogers, Competing Values
Task 1 Coverage Scenario Analysis + Model + Implementation + Evaluation
Rubric Alignment Each rationale explicitly ties to Task 1 rubric components
Verification: All answers and rationales have been reviewed for 100% accuracy against WGU C721 course materials, current change
management research (Kotter, Prosci, ADKAR, Bridges, Rogers), and Task 1 rubric evaluation criteria. Each rationale includes Task 1
application value and test-taking strategy notes for high-scoring submission.
WGU C721 - Change Management | NJP1 Task 1 Preparation | Page 1
, WGU C721 NJP1 Task 1 - Complete Preparation Exam
110 Questions | 8 Sections | Verified Answers & Complete Solution Rationales
Exam Overview: This 110-question preparation exam is structured to mirror the WGU C721 NJP1 Task 1 performance
assessment rubric and course competencies. Questions span eight sections covering Change Management
Foundations, Organizational Culture and Change Readiness, Change Theories and Frameworks (Kotter, Lewin, ADKAR,
Bridges, Rogers), Leadership and Change, Resistance to Change, Change Implementation and Execution, Sustaining
Change and Measuring Success, and Task 1 Application and Competency Integration. Each rationale explicitly ties the
answer to Task 1 rubric components, demonstrating the model application, stakeholder analysis, implementation
planning, and measurement design competencies required for a high-scoring Task 1 submission. The exam reflects
2026/2027 update content including recent change management research, best practices, and WGU Task 1 rubric
revisions.
Section 1: Change Management Foundations
Definitions, Drivers, Types, & Change Models (Q1-Q16)
Q1: A regional healthcare system is transitioning from a fee-for-service model to a value-based care
reimbursement model. This transition fundamentally alters how the organization delivers care, measures
success, and incentivizes providers. Which type of change best characterizes this initiative?
A. Incremental change, because the transition occurs gradually over multiple years
B. Transformational change, because it fundamentally reshapes organizational identity, culture, and core
business model [CORRECT]
C. Transactional change, because it primarily affects reimbursement transactions
D. Developmental change, because it builds incrementally on existing clinical processes
Correct Answer: B. Transformational change, because it fundamentally reshapes organizational identity, culture,
and core business model
Rationale: Transformational change fundamentally alters the organization's identity, strategy, culture, and core
operations - exactly what occurs when moving from fee-for-service to value-based care. Incremental change involves
small, continuous improvements within existing paradigms. Transactional and developmental changes do not
fundamentally reshape the business model. For WGU C721 Task 1, this distinction matters because transformational
change requires different leadership approaches (transformational leadership, culture work, urgency-building) than
incremental change (project management, process optimization). Test-taking strategy: ask "Does this change how we
fundamentally work and who we are?" If yes = transformational; if it improves existing processes = incremental.
WGU C721 - Change Management | NJP1 Task 1 Preparation | Page 2
,Q2: Which of the following best defines the scope of "change management" as a discipline?
A. A structured project management methodology for delivering technical initiatives on time and within budget
B. The structured application of tools, processes, and techniques to transition individuals, teams, and
organizations from a current state to a desired future state to achieve intended benefits [CORRECT]
C. A human resources function focused exclusively on managing employee performance during reorganizations
D. An IT governance framework for controlling software deployments and infrastructure updates
Correct Answer: B. The structured application of tools, processes, and techniques to transition individuals, teams,
and organizations from a current state to a desired future state to achieve intended benefits
Rationale: The discipline of change management focuses on the people side of change - moving individuals, teams, and
organizations from current state to desired future state to realize intended outcomes. Project management handles the
technical side (schedule, budget, scope), while change management handles adoption and usage. For WGU C721 Task 1,
the rubric specifically asks students to demonstrate understanding of both the business/technical side AND the people
side of change - selecting the correct definition grounds the entire submission. Test-taking strategy: "transition
individuals and organizations to desired future state" is the canonical Prosci/AWHONN-style definition.
Q3: A hospital network implements an AI-driven clinical decision support system. The clinical workflows
are redesigned, providers are retrained, and outcomes are measured. Which combination of change types
is occurring?
A. Technological and cultural change only
B. Technological, process, and cultural change [CORRECT]
C. Structural and strategic change only
D. Process and incremental change only
Correct Answer: B. Technological, process, and cultural change
Rationale: The scenario encompasses three change types: technological (new AI system), process (redesigned clinical
workflows), and cultural (providers must adopt new behaviors, trust AI recommendations, and shift decision-making
norms). Structural change would involve reorganizing departments or reporting lines (not mentioned). Strategic change
would involve altering the organization's market position or competitive direction. For Task 1, correctly categorizing the
change types influences which models and interventions you select. Test-taking strategy: identify all dimensions affected
- technology, processes, people/culture, structure, strategy - and list each as a separate change type.
Q4: An external driver of change is best exemplified by which of the following?
A. A CEO's vision to refresh the company brand after 20 years
B. A new federal healthcare regulation requiring price transparency effective January 1 [CORRECT]
C. Employee engagement survey results indicating low morale in the billing department
D. A new CIO's decision to consolidate the IT service desk
Correct Answer: B. A new federal healthcare regulation requiring price transparency effective January 1
Rationale: External drivers originate outside the organization's control and include market forces, technology disruption,
regulatory mandates, competition, economic shifts, and demographic trends. A federal regulation is a textbook external
driver. Internal drivers originate within the organization (leadership vision, employee feedback, internal performance
data, restructuring decisions). For WGU C721 Task 1, the rubric expects students to identify drivers accurately because
external drivers often require adaptive, responsive strategies while internal drivers allow more planned, controlled
change. Test-taking strategy: "outside the org's control" = external; "initiated by leadership or workforce" = internal.
WGU C721 - Change Management | NJP1 Task 1 Preparation | Page 3
, Q5: A manufacturing firm adopts lean manufacturing principles to reduce waste and improve quality.
This represents which type of organizational change?
A. Strategic change, because it alters the firm's competitive positioning
B. Process change, because it modifies how work is performed to improve efficiency and outcomes
[CORRECT]
C. Cultural change, because lean requires new mindsets about waste
D. Structural change, because teams are reorganized around value streams
Correct Answer: B. Process change, because it modifies how work is performed to improve efficiency and outcomes
Rationale: Process change involves modifying how work is performed - the methods, procedures, and workflows used to
produce goods or deliver services. Lean manufacturing is a textbook example of process change because it redesigns
how work flows to eliminate waste. While lean adoption often has cultural dimensions (new mindsets) and may
eventually affect structure (value stream teams), the primary change type is process. For Task 1, identifying the primary
change type prevents students from misattributing change dimensions and selecting inappropriate interventions.
Test-taking strategy: ask "what is being changed - the work itself, the structure, the tools, the strategy, or the culture?"
Q6: Which of the following best describes the difference between change management and change
leadership according to John Kotter?
A. Change management focuses on transformational initiatives; change leadership on incremental ones
B. Change management emphasizes the structured, operational processes to keep change under control;
change leadership emphasizes vision, urgency, and mobilizing people to drive transformation [CORRECT]
C. Change management is performed by HR; change leadership is performed by executives
D. There is no meaningful difference; the terms are interchangeable
Correct Answer: B. Change management emphasizes the structured, operational processes to keep change under
control; change leadership emphasizes vision, urgency, and mobilizing people to drive transformation
Rationale: Kotter distinguished change management (the structured, mechanical processes, tools, and controls to keep
change on track) from change leadership (the visionary, urgency-driven, people-mobilizing work that drives
transformation). Both are needed for major change. Change management keeps transformation under control; change
leadership propels it forward. For WGU C721 Task 1, students often confuse these - the rubric expects accurate
differentiation because effective change requires both. Test-taking strategy: management = control/process; leadership
= vision/mobilization.
Q7: A healthcare organization merges with a competitor. The combined entity must integrate policies, IT
systems, clinical protocols, and HR practices. Which type of change is this primarily?
A. Incremental change
B. Transformational change [CORRECT]
C. Transitional change
D. Developmental change
Correct Answer: B. Transformational change
Rationale: Mergers and acquisitions are textbook transformational change because they fundamentally alter
organizational identity, scale, structure, strategy, and culture simultaneously. The combined entity is, by design, a
different organization than either predecessor. Incremental/developmental change builds on existing foundations;
transitional change moves from one defined state to another (more moderate than transformational). For Task 1,
correctly identifying transformational change signals the need for a robust, multi-model approach (e.g., Kotter + ADKAR
+ Bridges) rather than a single simpler model. Test-taking strategy: "new organizational identity" = transformational.
WGU C721 - Change Management | NJP1 Task 1 Preparation | Page 4
Change Management (C721)
NJP1 TASK 1 PREPARATION
Updated Edition with Complete Solution
110 Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales
Comprehensive Coverage of Task 1 Rubric Components & Change Management Competencies
Total Questions 110 across 8 sections
Cognitive Levels 25% Recall | 55% Application | 20% Analysis
Question Style 75% Scenario/Application-based | 25% Direct Recall
Format NCLEX-style 4-option multiple choice
Frameworks Covered Kotter, Lewin, ADKAR, Bridges, Rogers, Competing Values
Task 1 Coverage Scenario Analysis + Model + Implementation + Evaluation
Rubric Alignment Each rationale explicitly ties to Task 1 rubric components
Verification: All answers and rationales have been reviewed for 100% accuracy against WGU C721 course materials, current change
management research (Kotter, Prosci, ADKAR, Bridges, Rogers), and Task 1 rubric evaluation criteria. Each rationale includes Task 1
application value and test-taking strategy notes for high-scoring submission.
WGU C721 - Change Management | NJP1 Task 1 Preparation | Page 1
, WGU C721 NJP1 Task 1 - Complete Preparation Exam
110 Questions | 8 Sections | Verified Answers & Complete Solution Rationales
Exam Overview: This 110-question preparation exam is structured to mirror the WGU C721 NJP1 Task 1 performance
assessment rubric and course competencies. Questions span eight sections covering Change Management
Foundations, Organizational Culture and Change Readiness, Change Theories and Frameworks (Kotter, Lewin, ADKAR,
Bridges, Rogers), Leadership and Change, Resistance to Change, Change Implementation and Execution, Sustaining
Change and Measuring Success, and Task 1 Application and Competency Integration. Each rationale explicitly ties the
answer to Task 1 rubric components, demonstrating the model application, stakeholder analysis, implementation
planning, and measurement design competencies required for a high-scoring Task 1 submission. The exam reflects
2026/2027 update content including recent change management research, best practices, and WGU Task 1 rubric
revisions.
Section 1: Change Management Foundations
Definitions, Drivers, Types, & Change Models (Q1-Q16)
Q1: A regional healthcare system is transitioning from a fee-for-service model to a value-based care
reimbursement model. This transition fundamentally alters how the organization delivers care, measures
success, and incentivizes providers. Which type of change best characterizes this initiative?
A. Incremental change, because the transition occurs gradually over multiple years
B. Transformational change, because it fundamentally reshapes organizational identity, culture, and core
business model [CORRECT]
C. Transactional change, because it primarily affects reimbursement transactions
D. Developmental change, because it builds incrementally on existing clinical processes
Correct Answer: B. Transformational change, because it fundamentally reshapes organizational identity, culture,
and core business model
Rationale: Transformational change fundamentally alters the organization's identity, strategy, culture, and core
operations - exactly what occurs when moving from fee-for-service to value-based care. Incremental change involves
small, continuous improvements within existing paradigms. Transactional and developmental changes do not
fundamentally reshape the business model. For WGU C721 Task 1, this distinction matters because transformational
change requires different leadership approaches (transformational leadership, culture work, urgency-building) than
incremental change (project management, process optimization). Test-taking strategy: ask "Does this change how we
fundamentally work and who we are?" If yes = transformational; if it improves existing processes = incremental.
WGU C721 - Change Management | NJP1 Task 1 Preparation | Page 2
,Q2: Which of the following best defines the scope of "change management" as a discipline?
A. A structured project management methodology for delivering technical initiatives on time and within budget
B. The structured application of tools, processes, and techniques to transition individuals, teams, and
organizations from a current state to a desired future state to achieve intended benefits [CORRECT]
C. A human resources function focused exclusively on managing employee performance during reorganizations
D. An IT governance framework for controlling software deployments and infrastructure updates
Correct Answer: B. The structured application of tools, processes, and techniques to transition individuals, teams,
and organizations from a current state to a desired future state to achieve intended benefits
Rationale: The discipline of change management focuses on the people side of change - moving individuals, teams, and
organizations from current state to desired future state to realize intended outcomes. Project management handles the
technical side (schedule, budget, scope), while change management handles adoption and usage. For WGU C721 Task 1,
the rubric specifically asks students to demonstrate understanding of both the business/technical side AND the people
side of change - selecting the correct definition grounds the entire submission. Test-taking strategy: "transition
individuals and organizations to desired future state" is the canonical Prosci/AWHONN-style definition.
Q3: A hospital network implements an AI-driven clinical decision support system. The clinical workflows
are redesigned, providers are retrained, and outcomes are measured. Which combination of change types
is occurring?
A. Technological and cultural change only
B. Technological, process, and cultural change [CORRECT]
C. Structural and strategic change only
D. Process and incremental change only
Correct Answer: B. Technological, process, and cultural change
Rationale: The scenario encompasses three change types: technological (new AI system), process (redesigned clinical
workflows), and cultural (providers must adopt new behaviors, trust AI recommendations, and shift decision-making
norms). Structural change would involve reorganizing departments or reporting lines (not mentioned). Strategic change
would involve altering the organization's market position or competitive direction. For Task 1, correctly categorizing the
change types influences which models and interventions you select. Test-taking strategy: identify all dimensions affected
- technology, processes, people/culture, structure, strategy - and list each as a separate change type.
Q4: An external driver of change is best exemplified by which of the following?
A. A CEO's vision to refresh the company brand after 20 years
B. A new federal healthcare regulation requiring price transparency effective January 1 [CORRECT]
C. Employee engagement survey results indicating low morale in the billing department
D. A new CIO's decision to consolidate the IT service desk
Correct Answer: B. A new federal healthcare regulation requiring price transparency effective January 1
Rationale: External drivers originate outside the organization's control and include market forces, technology disruption,
regulatory mandates, competition, economic shifts, and demographic trends. A federal regulation is a textbook external
driver. Internal drivers originate within the organization (leadership vision, employee feedback, internal performance
data, restructuring decisions). For WGU C721 Task 1, the rubric expects students to identify drivers accurately because
external drivers often require adaptive, responsive strategies while internal drivers allow more planned, controlled
change. Test-taking strategy: "outside the org's control" = external; "initiated by leadership or workforce" = internal.
WGU C721 - Change Management | NJP1 Task 1 Preparation | Page 3
, Q5: A manufacturing firm adopts lean manufacturing principles to reduce waste and improve quality.
This represents which type of organizational change?
A. Strategic change, because it alters the firm's competitive positioning
B. Process change, because it modifies how work is performed to improve efficiency and outcomes
[CORRECT]
C. Cultural change, because lean requires new mindsets about waste
D. Structural change, because teams are reorganized around value streams
Correct Answer: B. Process change, because it modifies how work is performed to improve efficiency and outcomes
Rationale: Process change involves modifying how work is performed - the methods, procedures, and workflows used to
produce goods or deliver services. Lean manufacturing is a textbook example of process change because it redesigns
how work flows to eliminate waste. While lean adoption often has cultural dimensions (new mindsets) and may
eventually affect structure (value stream teams), the primary change type is process. For Task 1, identifying the primary
change type prevents students from misattributing change dimensions and selecting inappropriate interventions.
Test-taking strategy: ask "what is being changed - the work itself, the structure, the tools, the strategy, or the culture?"
Q6: Which of the following best describes the difference between change management and change
leadership according to John Kotter?
A. Change management focuses on transformational initiatives; change leadership on incremental ones
B. Change management emphasizes the structured, operational processes to keep change under control;
change leadership emphasizes vision, urgency, and mobilizing people to drive transformation [CORRECT]
C. Change management is performed by HR; change leadership is performed by executives
D. There is no meaningful difference; the terms are interchangeable
Correct Answer: B. Change management emphasizes the structured, operational processes to keep change under
control; change leadership emphasizes vision, urgency, and mobilizing people to drive transformation
Rationale: Kotter distinguished change management (the structured, mechanical processes, tools, and controls to keep
change on track) from change leadership (the visionary, urgency-driven, people-mobilizing work that drives
transformation). Both are needed for major change. Change management keeps transformation under control; change
leadership propels it forward. For WGU C721 Task 1, students often confuse these - the rubric expects accurate
differentiation because effective change requires both. Test-taking strategy: management = control/process; leadership
= vision/mobilization.
Q7: A healthcare organization merges with a competitor. The combined entity must integrate policies, IT
systems, clinical protocols, and HR practices. Which type of change is this primarily?
A. Incremental change
B. Transformational change [CORRECT]
C. Transitional change
D. Developmental change
Correct Answer: B. Transformational change
Rationale: Mergers and acquisitions are textbook transformational change because they fundamentally alter
organizational identity, scale, structure, strategy, and culture simultaneously. The combined entity is, by design, a
different organization than either predecessor. Incremental/developmental change builds on existing foundations;
transitional change moves from one defined state to another (more moderate than transformational). For Task 1,
correctly identifying transformational change signals the need for a robust, multi-model approach (e.g., Kotter + ADKAR
+ Bridges) rather than a single simpler model. Test-taking strategy: "new organizational identity" = transformational.
WGU C721 - Change Management | NJP1 Task 1 Preparation | Page 4
