Page 74 - DMGT520_ORGANIZATION_CHANGE_AND_DEVELOPMENT

Unit 5: Diagnostic, Action and Process

5.1 Managing the Process Notes

As such, uniformity in the steps involved cannot be expected. Blake and Mouton provide six
steps in OD programmes: studying the managerial grid as a theoretical framework to understand
behavioural dynamics of organisation’s culture, studying the dynamics of the actual work team,
launching similar activities in different units. Engaging the top team, implementation tactics for
transforming the organisation into the above model and measurement of changes.

Notes Beckhard provides five steps: diagnosis, strategy planning, education, consulting
and training, and evaluation. French and Bell have identified three components: diagnosis,
action, and process maintenance.
The difference in the various steps as described by various scholars and practitioners is due to
the defining scope of a particular step. Moreover since OD is an ongoing interactive process-a
process is an identifiable flow of interrelated events moving over time towards some goal-
many of the events overlap, and in real practice, a clear-cut demarcation between various events
becomes difficult. In OD programmes, various steps may be problem identification and diagnosis,
planning change strategy intervening in the system and evaluation.

Notes These steps are not exclusive to each other and do not follow the same sequence but
interact with each other.

5.1.1 Problem Identification and Diagnosis

OD programme leads to meet certain objective in the organisation because OD is a means and
not an end in itself. Thus, it attempts to solve some organisational problems. The problems may
be a gap between desired path of action and actual path of action, that is, the organisation fails
to meet its objective on a long-term basis. OD programme starts with the identification of the
problems in the organisation. Analysis of various symptoms both overt and covert may help in
identifying the problems. Diagnosis gives correct identification of a problem and its causes and
determines the scope of future course of action. Diagnosis in OD involves a number of techniques
concerned with identifying concerns and issues, establishing priorities, and translating them
into aims and objectives. At this stage itself, the collection and analysis of data is undertaken.
Major consideration is given to the techniques and methods used to desirable organisation
system the relationships between the elements or sub-systems, and ways of identifying major
problems and issues.
Problem identification flows almost immediately into analysis. Once a problem is identified
the analysis will show why the problem exists.

Did u know? The analysis will identify the variables that can be altered or changed by the
organisation and its management, such as leadership style, organisation structure,
organisational objective, etc. In other words, analysis brings the identification of
environment that has caused problems.

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