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Unit 3 of 4 · BBA Sem 5

Unit 3: Organisation development

Organisation Change and Development notes · PTU syllabus (BBA 532-18)

3 min read4 topics8 exam questions
On this page
  1. Unit summary
  2. Meaning, features and objectives of OD
  3. History of OD
  4. The OD process
  5. OD interventions
  6. Key terms
  7. Quick revision
  8. Important questions

Unit summary

Organisation development (OD) is a planned, long-term effort to improve an organisation's effectiveness using behavioural science. This unit covers the meaning, features, objectives and history of OD, the OD process, and OD interventions — their concept, characteristics and classification.

After this unit you can

  • Define OD and explain its features and objectives
  • Trace the history of OD
  • Explain the OD process
  • Classify OD interventions

PTU syllabus topics

  • Meaning
  • features
  • objectives and history of OD
  • the OD process
  • OD interventions — concept
  • characteristics and classification
  • interventions as a tool to improve organisational effectiveness
CycleThe action-research OD process
The action-research OD process
1Diagnosis
2Data collection
3Feedback
4Action and intervention
5Evaluation
  1. 1. Diagnosis: Find the problem
  2. 2. Data collection: Gather facts
  3. 3. Feedback: Share data with the client
  4. 4. Action and intervention: Plan and carry out the change
  5. 5. Evaluation: Check results
1

Topic 1

Meaning, features and objectives of OD

Organisation development is a long-range effort to improve an organisation's problem-solving and renewal processes through a collaborative management of culture, with the help of a change agent and behavioural science (French and Bell). Features: planned, long-term, system-wide, based on behavioural science, collaborative, uses action research and a change agent, and focuses on culture and processes. Objectives: improve effectiveness, build trust and openness, improve problem-solving, increase collaboration and help people and the organisation grow.

2

Topic 2

History of OD

Roots: laboratory training (T-groups) from Kurt Lewin and the National Training Laboratories (1940s); survey research and feedback (University of Michigan); action research (Lewin); and later sociotechnical systems (Tavistock Institute) and quality-of-work-life movements.

3

Topic 3

The OD process

CycleAction-research OD process
Action-research OD process
1Entry and contracting
2Diagnosis
3Feedback
4Action planning
5Intervention
6Evaluation and stabilisation
  1. 1. Entry and contracting:
  2. 2. Diagnosis: Data collection on problems
  3. 3. Feedback: Share data with the client system
  4. 4. Action planning:
  5. 5. Intervention:
  6. 6. Evaluation and stabilisation:
4

Topic 4

OD interventions

An OD intervention is a planned set of activities in which client groups take part to improve organisational functioning. Characteristics: based on data, action-oriented, involve participation, focus on processes, and are evaluated.

ClassificationClassification of OD interventions
OD interventions

  • Individual

    Coaching, sensitivity training, career planning

  • Team

    Team building, role analysis, process consultation

  • Intergroup

    Intergroup confrontation, third-party peacemaking

  • Organisation-wide

    Survey feedback, grid OD, culture change

  • Structural (techno-structural)

    Job redesign, restructuring, quality circles

Interventions improve effectiveness by increasing communication, trust and collaboration and by aligning structure and processes with goals.

Key terms

Organisation development
Planned long-term effort to improve organisational effectiveness
Change agent
A person who facilitates the OD process
Action research
Cycle of diagnosis, feedback, action and evaluation
OD intervention
A planned activity to improve functioning
Survey feedback
Collecting attitude data and feeding it back to groups

Quick revision

  • OD: planned, long-term, behavioural science, collaborative, change agent.
  • Roots: T-groups, survey feedback, action research, sociotechnical systems.
  • Process: entry → diagnosis → feedback → action → intervention → evaluation.
  • Interventions: individual, team, intergroup, organisation-wide, structural.

Important exam questions

Practice questions written to the PTU exam pattern for this unit's syllabus: short answers (Section A style) and long answers (Sections B and C style).

Short-answer questions

  1. Q1.Define organisation development.
  2. Q2.List four features of OD.
  3. Q3.Who is a change agent?
  4. Q4.What is action research?
  5. Q5.Name two team interventions.

Long-answer questions

  1. Q1.Explain the meaning, features and objectives of OD.
  2. Q2.Explain the OD process with a diagram.
  3. Q3.Explain the classification of OD interventions.

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