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Dr. John C O’Keefe

Public Administration in the 21st Century

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Change Vs Progress

admin January 22, 2026 2 minutes read
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Let me start by saying, change, and progress are not the same thing. Change occurs on a regular basis, even if you direct the change or not; change refers to any alteration or modification. Progress, on the other hand, focusing on intentional action striving to reach a defined outcome or action; progress implies a positive advancement towards a specific goal or improvement.  Change creates the feeling of motion, while progress requires directed action. The reality is progress is impossible without a clear destination.

For example, you can change your administrative team and not necessarily improve their performance. The reality is not all changes result in progress; some changes may lead to negative outcomes and even stagnation. Progress is measurable and can be evaluated against set goals, whereas change may not have clear metrics for success. Progress, on the other hand, is inherently positive and indicates advancement. Progress is a goal-oriented focusing on goals, improvement and positive outcomes. While change is often random or unplanned, progress is intentional and directed towards a specific outcome.

Change is a necessary part of life and can occur in various contexts, progress is a more specific term that denotes positive advancement towards goals. Understanding the distinction between these two concepts can help individuals and organizations focus their efforts on meaningful improvements rather than mere alterations.

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