Overview of the Field of Organization DevelopmentMuch of the content  Show
Copyright Carter McNamara, MBA, PhD Focus and Scope of This TopicThe purpose of this topic is to acquaint the reader with the field of Organization Development, a field with a rich history of research, publications and highly qualified practitioners dedicated to improving the performance of organizations, whether they are teams, departmental units or the overall organizations. The information in those topics is not sufficient to develop competencies in guiding successful significant change. Those competencies comes from extensive experience in applying those types of information. NOTE: This topic distinguishes the difference between “organizational development” and “Organization Development.” The former phrase refers to the context, focus and purpose of the change while developing an organization. The latter phrase refers to a field of people with expertise in guiding successful organizational development. An organization can be a team, departmental unit within an entire organization, the entire organization itself or a collaboration of organizations. However, there are various articles below which refer to “organizational development”, but it is clear that their content relates as directly to the field of Organization Development itself. Thus, those articles are included in this topic. Sections of This Topic IncludeOverviews of Organization Development
General Resources
Other Highly Recommended Readings
Also consider
What is Organization Development?A Traditional DefinitionLike many relatively long-standing fields, the members of each are constantly discussing what their field really is. However, the following definition is standard and often used as the starting point for further discussions about the definition of Organization Development.
Some More Modern DefinitionsToday’s organizations operate in a rapidly changing environment. Consequently, one of the most important assets for an organization is the ability to manage change — and for people to remain healthy and authentic. Consider the following definition of Organization Development:
Experts might agree that the following definitions of Organization Development represent the major
Organization Development Practitioners as “Organizational Physicians”?There is a complex integration of various systems in an organization. Likewise, there is a complex integration in the human body. Therefore, when trying to understand the field of Organization Development, it might be useful to compare aspects of the field of Organization Development to aspects of the field of medicine. For example, the study of the theories and structures of organizations (often in courses called “organizational theory”) is somewhat similar to the study of anatomy and physiology of human systems. Similarly, the study of organizational behavior is somewhat similar to the study of psychology and sociology in human systems. So in Organization Development, its practitioners might be considered to be “organizational physicians” intending to improve the effectiveness of the organization by:
There are many practitioners who would oppose that comparison, believing that physicians too often take a mechanical, linear and detached approach when treating their patients. Those practitioners would assert that approaches in Organization Development are much more dynamic in nature. Additional Perspectives On What Organization Development Is
Other Overviews of the Field of Organization DevelopmentIt is useful now to build from those various definitions to consider various overviews of the field. The field itself is so large that an overview should start with a relatively small scope and then broaden from that. Basic Overviews
Broader Overviews
Diverse Perspectives on Organization DevelopmentThe topic of organizational change has received a great deal of attention over the past several decades as organizations face new and complex challenges like never before. Correspondingly, the field of Organization Development is receiving a great deal of attention now, too. As the field has grown, so has the diversity of perspectives on the field. The question “What is Organization Development?” is now common in discussions among those interested in the field. Field or Profession? (Ethics and Certification)Organization Development is sometimes referred to as a profession. Yet others assert that it is a field because it does not have a standard code of ethics or universal accrediting body. Early practitioners recommended a Credo, which is widely respected. The Organization Development Institute has also recommended an International Organization Development Code of Ethics. The Organization Development Institute admirably suggests levels of certification for Organization Development practitioners, but these do not appear to have become standard for practitioners. The Organization Development Network is a large organization that also focuses on developing the field and serving its members, including by developing a framework of competencies. Scope of the Field?Some have distinguished Organization Development from other fields because it works from a systems perspective and according to humanistic values to help people to change for the better. Others might respond that other fields or professions, however, such as trainers and community organizers, also work from a systems perspective and according to humanistic values — and, thus, that description is not unique to Organization Development. Those people might assert that Organization Development must proclaim a scope for their field, in particular, a scope to changing organizations. Focus on People Side and/or Business Side?Another area
of diversity about perspectives on Organization Development is in regard to how people view organizations. Some focus especially on the structures, strategies, policies and procedures (the “business side”), while others focus especially on the human relations and interactions (the “people side”). Still others focus especially on the politics and power, while others focus especially on the cultures and values of the organization. The following article gives more information about these
perspectives: Currently, there seems to be strong focus on “soft” skills in Organization Development, for example, coaching, leadership development, facilitation, conflict management and process consulting. However, many would assert that the “hard” skills, such as organizational theory, strategizing, and various quality management
initiatives should also be a focus in Organization Development. The following article gives more information about these perspectives. Organization Development Versus Change Management?Recently, there have emerged many opinions that Organization Development and change management are two somewhat different disciplines. The opinions are that Organization Development is focused primarily on changing a whole system, for example, a team, departmental unit or organization, while change management is focused on the necessary changes among people in the organization in order to accomplish the overall change in the organization. Others believe that change management is not a separate discipline and is actually an aspect of what Organization Development naturally focuses on when changing the entire system, that is, that Organization Development also focuses a great deal on what is needed to change people. Other views on change management might sound much like how others would define Organization Development, for example, “Organizational Change Management is about an organization achieving a desired future state from its current state with minimal disruption or negative impact to the organization” … “Change Management … is not organization-wide or enterprise-wide. It is change specific to a project or program” (Rona Puntawe).
Various Perspectives on Organization Development
History and Theories of Organization DevelopmentThere is a rich history in the field of Organization Development. Professional practitioners in the field should know that history, including the early beginnings of the field and the major players in it. They should know its history and evolution, including its major phases of development over the years that bring us up to the dynamic changes that are now occurring in the field.
Future and Emerging Theories of Organization DevelopmentDialogic Organization DevelopmentAs quoted from the website Dialogic Organization Development, “Dialogic Organization Development is the next step in the evolution of organizational change theory, from thinking of organizations as organisms that adapt to their environments, to organizations as conversations where individual, group, and organizational actions result from self-organizing, socially constructed realities created and sustained by the prevailing narratives, stories, and conversations through which people make meaning about their experiences.”
Other Perspectives on the Future of Organization Development
Other Fields and Organization DevelopmentThe field of Organization Development includes a wide range of perspectives on the scope and, in particular, how it relates — or does not relate — to other fields. Many believe that an activity could be classified as an “Organization Development” activity if it is focused especially on changing a significant part or all of an organization. Others believe that activities focused especially on changing a person or people (such as learning and development, coaching, training and facilitation) within an organization also changes the organization itself and, thus, each of those activities could be classified as an “Organization Development” activity. Here are some articles that further portray differences in perspective.
Recommended Competencies for Organization Development PractitionersAlmost as diverse as the opinions about the focus, scope and nature of Organization Development are the opinions about the competencies that its practitioners should have. The following link will take you to a list of recommended competencies from different organizations and professionals in the field.
Organizations Focused on Organization DevelopmentThe following lists are by no means complete, rather they are a good starting point for learning even more about Organization Development. Associations
Educational OrganizationsOrganization Development Education Association lists many Organization Development educational organizations. Some Organizations With Many Resources about Organization Development
Books Focused on the Field of Organization DevelopmentThe field of Organization Development encompasses a wide variety of business-, management- and organization-related practices. Therefore, a list of Organization Development-related books could well be exhaustive in length. The following are some of the major books focused primarily on the field of Organization Development. This short list is by no means meant to represent the singular “foundation” texts in the field. Rather, the list is a good starting point from which to gain some basic understanding of the field. Organization Development-Specific BooksMuch of the content of this Library topic came from this book: Field Guide to
Consulting and Organizational Development by Carter McNamara, Authenticity Consulting, 2006. This book is about the field of Organization Development and combines major practices from the field with major practices from the field of consulting, as well. (The author of this book is the author of much of the content in this Library.) Organization Development and Change Organization Development Classics : The Practice and Theory of Change — The Best of the Organization Development Practitioner Practicing Organization Development : A Guide for Consultants Annotated Lists of Organization Development-Related BooksPeter Vaill provides an extensive, annotated bibliography of organizational behavior and development books. (To read the bibliography, you will need the free program Adobe Acrobat Reader.) Another list of Organization Development books is recommended by members of a LinkedIn group about Organization Development. Other Highly Recommended Readings
Learn More in the Library’s Blogs Related to OrganizationIn addition to the articles on this current page, see the following blogs which have posts related to Organization Development. Scan down the blog’s page to see various posts. Also see the section “Recent Blog Posts” in the sidebar of the blog or click on “next” near the bottom of a post in the blog.
For the Category of Organizational Development:To round out your knowledge of this Library topic, you may want to review some related topics, available from the link below. Each of the related topics includes free, online resources. Also, scan the Recommended Books listed below. They have been selected for their relevance and highly practical nature.
How does organizational development differ from traditional approaches to organizational change?OD differs from traditional organizational change techniques in that it typically embraces a more holistic approach that is aimed at transforming thought and behavior throughout an entity.
What is Organizational Development OD change management?Organizational Change Management is about an organization achieving a desired future state from its current state with minimal disruption or negative impact to the organization. Organizational Development is about how an organization achieves its purpose through its design, function, structure and processes.
What is the meaning of organization development?Organization development (OD) is an effort that focuses on improving an organization's capability through the alignment of strategy, structure, people, rewards, metrics, and management processes.
What perspective does organization development work from?OD is driven by humanistic values. It is a data-based approach to understanding and diagnosing organizations. It is guided by a change agent, change team, or line management whose primary role is that of facilitator, teacher, and coach rather than subject matter expert.
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Organization development distinguishes itself from Organizational change and change management by
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