| draft | false | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| title | Champion Program | ||||||||||||||
| publishDate | 2025-09-15 | ||||||||||||||
| params |
|
||||||||||||||
| pillars |
|
||||||||||||||
| areas |
|
||||||||||||||
| verticals |
|
||||||||||||||
| personas |
|
||||||||||||||
| platform |
|
||||||||||||||
| features |
|
||||||||||||||
| components |
|
||||||||||||||
| github |
|
From writing code to securing the software supply chain, the advent of AI has had a profound impact on the velocity of change. As new tools reshape how we work, the most effective way to adapt is by empowering your internal experts to lead the way. But how do you scale their knowledge and enthusiasm across distributed teams?
This can be done by building a champion program. It's a simple but powerful idea: find your most engaged users, give them the support they need, and let them guide their peers through change. This strategy creates two distinct value proposition:
{{< icon "office-building" >}} Organizational value - Deliver value by aligning internal advocacy efforts with business objectives, fostering a community of recognized leaders, and accelerating transformation.
{{< icon "sparkles" >}} Champion benefits - For champions themselves, the program offers unique opportunities for skill development, increased visibility, and influence as the go-to technical leaders shaping their organizations' future.
Successful champion programs share these common traits:
{{< icon "shield-check" >}} Executive sponsorship - The executive sponsor is one who has a stake in the success of the program and the value it brings to the business. They will give the champions guardrails and support they need to be successful.
{{< icon "users" >}} Engaged champions - Champions should be enthusiastic about the technology and motivated to help others. Most champions are individual contributors. Advocacy is defined by behaviour, not by title, or position. Some of the most valuable voices are those of end users, but far too often their voices are not heard.
{{< callout type="info" >}} Champion programs are different than train-the-trainer programs. Train-the-trainer delivers structured training over a set period of time. Champion programs are ongoing communities of practice that evolve with the organization. {{< /callout >}}
- Leadership sponsorship exists to recognize and protect champions' time.
- Preliminary frameworks are in place to measure adoption and program impact.
- There are already internal communication platforms like Slack or Teams in place.
- The organization has a receptive culture for peer-led learning and advocacy.
{{< tabs items="🏗️ Foundation,📋 Structure,🔍 Recruit,🎓 Onboard,🚀 Launch,📈 Scale" >}}
{{< tab >}} Foundation phase
Set the groundwork for your champion program.
- Align with leadership: Obtain buy-in, discuss priorities, and establish regular communication
- Define charter: Clarify program mission, vision, and key business goals (e.g., drive adoption, empower users)
{{< callout type="info" emoji="🏆" >}} Executive sponsorship is critical for program success and champion protection. {{< /callout >}} {{< /tab >}}
{{< tab >}} Program structure
Define how your program will operate.
- Define champion roles: Outline responsibilities (e.g., advocates, mentors, feedback collectors)
- Plan communication: Set up dedicated channels (Slack/Teams, intranet page) and meeting cadences
- Onboarding process: Create a simple onboarding guide and process for new champions
{{< callout type="info" emoji="📐" >}} Clear role definitions prevent confusion and ensure champions know their responsibilities. {{< /callout >}} {{< /tab >}}
{{< tab >}} Recruit champions
Find the right people to drive your program.
- Identify candidates: Look for enthusiastic, influential peers. Optimize for diversity in business units and time zones
- Incentivize: Offer recognition, early access, or SWAG
{{< callout type="info" emoji="🎯" >}} The most effective champions are often individual contributors who are already enthusiastic about the technology. {{< /callout >}} {{< /tab >}}
{{< tab >}} Onboard champions
Prepare your champions for success.
- Train: Provide training on the tool/practice, best practices, and their role
- Resource: Share learning materials, FAQs, and templates
- Support: Offer a direct line for their questions and issues
{{< callout type="info" emoji="💡" >}} Invest heavily in champion onboarding - well-prepared champions are more effective advocates. {{< /callout >}} {{< /tab >}}
{{< tab >}} Launch community
Kick off your program with momentum.
- Kick Off: Host a launch event to introduce the program, mission, and champions
- Brand & Promote: Create excitement with branding and share program benefits
- Engage: Use communication channels to share updates, tips, and success stories
{{< callout type="info" emoji="🚀" >}} A strong launch creates visibility and establishes the program's importance in the organization. {{< /callout >}} {{< /tab >}}
{{< tab >}} Iterate and scale
Continuously improve and expand your program.
- Learn: Engage in hands-on training, stay informed about updates, and participate in enablement sessions and technical previews
- Share: Distribute knowledge, host training and office hours, highlight team successes, and create educational materials
- Listen: Provide support, gather feedback, address pain points, and track adoption and engagement metrics
- Reflect: Assess program progress, align with leadership, report achievements, address obstacles, and evaluate future leadership or improvements
{{< callout type="info" emoji="🔄" >}} Regular reflection and iteration ensure your program stays relevant and effective as your organization evolves. {{< /callout >}} {{< /tab >}}
{{< /tabs >}}
To help get started, here is a charter template and champion handbook that can be customized to fit your organization's needs.
{{< cards >}} {{< card link="https://gh.io/waf-cp-charter" title="Champion program charter" image="champion-program-charter.png" >}} {{< card link="https://gh.io/waf-cp-handbook" title="Champion handbook" image="champion-handbook.png" >}} {{< /cards >}}
Time and workload burden
Champions have their own full-time jobs. The program asks them to voluntarily take on extra responsibilities. There should be a graduation path so champions can pass the torch to new champions after a set period. Leadership should enable the champions by protecting their time and recognizing their contributions.
{{% seeking-further-assistance-details %}}
{{% related-links-github-docs %}}