ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT 1.) Define and explain Organizational Development.

OD is a long range effort to improve an organizations ability to cope with change and its problem solving and renewal processes through effective management of organization culture. It is about improving the organization's ability to effectively respond to changes in its external environment, and its about increasing internal capabilities by ensuring the organizational structures, human resources systems, job designs, communication systems, and leadership/managerial processes fully harness human motivation and help people function to their full potential.

2.) Enumerate the general and specific objectives of OD. OD helps the employees conform to the vision of the organization, and solve problems instead of avoiding them. OD strengthens mutual trust, cooperation, and communication to increase enthusiasm among employees for the successful achievement of organizational goals. OD encourages open communication to every member of the organization and allow them to participate in the planning process which would make them feel responsible for the implementation of the plan.

3.) 3 foundations of OD The need for new organizational reforms Organizations tend to adopt a form that is more appropriate to a particular time, and the current rate of change requires more adaptive forms. The focus on cultural change Because each organization forms a culture (system of beliefs and values), the only real way to change is to alter the organizational culture. The increase in social awareness Because of the changing social climate, tomorrows emplyoyee will no longer accept autocratic styles of management; therefore, greater social awareness is required in the organzation.

4.) Characteristics of OD Planned change aims at specific objectives and is based on a diagnosis of problem areas Collaborative approach includes involvement and participation of those organization members most affected by the changes Performance orientation emphasis on ways to improve and enhance performance and quality

Humanistic orientation OD relies on a set of humanistic values about people and organizations that aims at gaining more effective organizations by opening up new opportunities for increased use of human potential Systems approach concerned with the relationships of the interdependent subsystems of the organization Scientific method OD is based upon scientific approaches to increase organization effectiveness

5.) Discuss the OD process and describe each step. Problem identification - dentify the problem which impacts the mission or health of the organization, or if there are better ways to improve their performance Situational assessment - documentation review, organizational sensing, focus groups, interviewing, or surveying Action planning/ intervention - Intervention can include teaching, improvement and team interventions through training and brainstorming sessions Implementation execute the intervention Gather data to evaluate the intervention information about the changes/effects of the intervention Determining the results - determines the effectiveness of the intervention Feedback - decision-makers determine if the intervention met its goals