The phrase "set off changes" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when discussing a situation in which change has led to positive outcomes. For example: "The decision to invest in new technology set off a chain of changes within the company that resulted in increased productivity."
The overbilling by St. Barnabas was so severe, Mr. Hirsch said, that it set off changes to the reimbursement formula and caused other hospitals to receive less federal money than they deserved.
But in the case of Argentine ants, a genetic change set off changes in behavior and colony structure that enabled the invader to conquer new territory by eliminating native species.
In the 1950's and 60's, Los Angeles itself had the Committee of 25, a shadowy conclave of businessmen who helped pick candidates for appointment or election to public office and generally set the tone in the city until the Watts riots set off changes in the municipal power structure.
Dilshan taps the ball to mid off and sets off, changes his mind and turns back; Simmons collects the ball and hits the stumps.
With Captain Andy, winningly portrayed by Lenny Wolpe, at the helm, the Cotton Blossom's crew includes black laborers and white show folk and, of course, Julie LaVerne, the leading lady whose racial secret sets off changes that will affect everyone aboard.
Others set off important changes.
Ms. Miller's appointment set off other changes to the bank's organizational chart.
Men and women do seem to absorb small levels through normal sunscreen use, but there was no evidence that it set off hormonal changes.
They were studying a small plant called Arabidopsis, a botanical lab rat, when they observed that mutations could set off grotesque changes.
One hypothesis is that something about the composition of breast milk may set off metabolic changes or somehow program the child's metabolism.
In the same way that the passage of Title IX in 1972 spurred a revolution in women's sports, the adoption of federal Public Law 94-142 in 1975 set off extraordinary changes in the lives of developmentally disabled children.
