Organizational Development (OD) is a process used to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of an organization. It makes use of available resources to improve the organization's performance and expand its productivity. OD objectives refer to business dynamics and are designed to bring about structural changes that increase efficiency. The main goal of OD is to improve the organization, but this can mean different things for different organizations.
Organizational Development interventions are used to solve problems related to the company and provide a methodology for analyzing the processes that are part of it. Examples of these interventions include organizational design, individual and group interventions, work design, and more traditional interventions with people. These processes are not usually recognized as OD, but they are essential for creating a pleasant and stress-free environment in the organization for good functioning. This helps employees be motivated to work effectively and efficiently, resulting in higher profitability.
Kurt Lewin, considered the father of OD, limited himself to saying that the process of change consists of defrosting, changing and refreezing. It is necessary to have a good understanding of the processes being evaluated in order to imagine, create and implement the redesign of an organization's business processes. This helps them understand the company's values, mission, and vision and to ensure that planned OD interventions are appropriate for the organizational culture. Organizational Development objectives help define the purpose of a company, help its business growth, and achieve its financial objectives.
In HR, OD involves changes and improvements in the processes and structures that are part of HR responsibility. Many universities offer undergraduate and graduate programs geared specifically toward a career in the field of OD. Other certifications include the Skill-Oriented Organizational Development Institute (ODCP) Certification Program, the Illumeo Organizational Development certification program, and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences Organizational Development certification program. Organizational development professionals often encounter resistance when they are chosen as agents of change.
However, OD is a critical, science-based process that helps organizations develop their capacity to change and achieve greater effectiveness by developing, improving, and reinforcing strategies, structures, and processes. The OD professional must know the past and present of an organization, its successes and failures, its competitors and partners. By continuously evaluating and improving organizational effectiveness, the OD ensures that organizations remain adaptable, resilient, and capable of achieving their strategic objectives in a dynamic business environment. Once data is collected, it must be summarized so it can tell a story that identifies real pain points and their repercussions.
Human process interventions are programs of change that relate to interpersonal relationships, group dynamics, and organizational dynamics. In conclusion, Organizational Development is an essential process for any organization looking to increase their efficiency and effectiveness. It helps define the purpose of a company, helps its business growth, and achieves its financial objectives. It also helps create a pleasant working environment for employees which leads to higher profitability. Finally, it ensures that organizations remain adaptable in order to achieve their strategic objectives in a dynamic business environment.
