This paper provides a practical experience-based approach to managing change in software process improvement initiatives. The contents presented in this paper are based on author’s experience in leading software process improvement initiatives and deploying quality processes in hi-tech organizations involved in large-scale software development, and also based on some years of research and consulting. The paper emphasizes the critical role of processes for the success of software development organizations and provides a practical insight into the process of change for achieving software excellence. Importance of a strategic and structured approach to change management is discussed. An analysis of the problems and difficulties associated with change management in software process improvement initiatives is presented. A simple and pragmatic approach for successfully managing change for software process improvement is provided. A matrix identifying the skills, attitude and characteristics essential for a successful change agent is also presented.