In this course, we develop the required skills and knowledge for Organization Development (OD) practitioners to undertake a data-gathering exercise which provides both the practitioner and clients with a clear picture of how to proceed on the change journey. 

We start with a brief overview of the diagnostic phase of OD, its links to evaluation processes and how, before such a journey begins, the OD practitioner should start with the end in mind. This leads to a conversation about the types of data needed, data collection methods, and data analysis.  Then, we explore methods of data feedback and action planning.

This course examines the tasks and skills required for the diagnostic phase of the OD cycle.

Course Series

This course is included in the following series:

5 CoursesOrganizational Development

  1. History and Evolution of Organization Development (OD) and Change
  2. Organization Development (OD): The Evaluation Phase
  3. Organization Development (OD): The Diagnostic Phase
  4. Designing Organization Development (OD) Interventions
  5. Organization Development (OD) in Practice
Learning Objectives
  • Explore the diagnostic phase of Organization Development (OD), its links to evaluation processes and how, before such a journey begins, the OD practitioner should start with the end in mind.
  • Identify the types of data needed, data collection methods, and data analysis.
  • Discover methods of data feedback and action planning.

 

 

Last updated/reviewed: March 16, 2024

Included In Certifications

This course is included in the following Certification Programs:

11 CoursesOrganization Development Certification

  1. History and Evolution of Organization Development (OD) and Change
  2. Organization Development (OD) in Practice
  3. Organization Development (OD): The Diagnostic Phase
  4. Designing Organization Development (OD) Interventions
  5. Appreciative Inquiry in Practice
  6. Organization Development (OD): The Evaluation Phase
  7. Organizational Frameworks
  8. Organization Design Theory and Practice
  9. Leading Change and the Use of Self
  10. Ethical and Professional Practice
  11. Organizational Development: A Tool Kit for People-Led Change (Article)
13 Reviews (31 ratings)

Reviews

4
Member's Profile
Very informative! I took a quick look at the remaining courses. I was interested in more details related to the storyboarding and culture mapping... maybe a simplistic example. Also at this point I'm thinking that some templates/tools for various activities/events for future use would be great. I definitely recommend showing a simplistic example of storyboarding and culture mapping. I will have to go look this up on the internet to get a better understanding.

4
Member's Profile
Good explanation of the importance of the diagnostic phase which I believe is most critical before any intervention is required. However topic can be presented in a more interactive way, engaging us at our end to be more reflective in the learning process.

4
Anonymous Author
Interesting point on ethnographic data gathering. Would have been better if there's sharing on how to make senior leaders, who are usually caught up with strategic goals & KPIs, to appreciate bottom-up data/ground feedback from an ethnographic perspective.

5
Anonymous Author
This course was thorough and useful. My favorite parts were learning that the Data Gathering is the beginning of disturbance and that diagnosis is actually an intervention in and of itself - very quantum reality

3
Member's Profile
I appreciate this course and reviewer - however I wish they would thread an example throughout - theory without application is challenging to the practitioner.

5
Member's Profile
Really engaging and informative course, but I would have liked more depth on data analysis and action planning. But useful course nonetheless.

4
Anonymous Author
The module helped me realize that there are many ways of doing data collection that will make people open up.

5
Anonymous Author
This was an instructional course, but I think that the materials should support the course a bit more.

5
Anonymous Author
Loved this course! It was filled with methods and theories that I am excited to apply to my agency

4
Member's Profile
Information was comprehensive. Would have liked a scenario implementing some of chief principles.

4
Member's Profile
Lots of good information. And lots of references to go and get more information.

3
Anonymous Author
Overall ok. Good tools for culture assessment etc., very familiar content

4
Anonymous Author
Good course, interesting material. However, the exam was too easy.

Prerequisites
Course Complexity: Intermediate

No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.

Education Provider Information
Company: Illumeo, Inc., 75 East Santa Clara St., Suite 1215, San Jose, CA 95113
Contact: For more information regarding this course, including complaint and cancellation policies, please contact our offices at (408) 400- 3993 or send an e-mail to .
Course Questions and Answers(4 Questions)
User picture

what is difference between the consultancy cycle activities (8 OD phases) and Schwarz's 6 diagnosis and intervention model mainly compared with the phase 3 (collecting data).
Who is the author of the 8 OD Phases (consultancy cycle activities)?

Member's Profile

I'm trying to make sense of what you mean by "consultancy cycle activities" - do you mean the eight fundamental consultancy objectives (Turner, 1982) - which go from Provide requested info (Level 1) to Improve Organisational effectiveness (Level 8)?

If you clarify, I can then attempt to answer the question.

However, what I would say when comparing models, often theorists will have their own perspective on how things work. Model are the way academics simplify what they observe. it's like asking what is the difference between Lewin's 3 step change model and Kotter's eight step change model. Essentially nothing. It's just what emphasis the academic puts on parts of a process, what they interpret as important and how they choose to describe it. Take for example the difference between diagnostic or dialogic OD. Neither is right or wrong, it is perspective. I am a dialogic OD practitioner. It doesn't mean I dismiss the diagnostic. It is important, but I believe (personal values/perspective) that creating dialogue is most effective/essential for driving the change I am engaged to facilitate in the organisation

User picture

In what phase of the OD Project the practitioner needs to take into consideration the OD Theories?

Member's Profile

All of them! Simplistic answer I realise. But consider, at the diagnostic stage you might, for example use systems theory to ensure that your analysis of symptoms is based on a holistic perspective. At the design phase you my consider contingency theory or complementary systems theory to consider how you will 'design in' activities that fit the environment and deliver coherence. At the implementation stage you might employ complexity theory to ensure that their is cross-functional collaboration and use group dynamics to ensure richness in dialogue. Finally you might use Action Research in the evaluation phase. There is no 'right theory' to use at a particular phase. Rather, using the right theory to drive the change the organisation is looking for.

Instructor for this course
Course Syllabus
INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
  Introduction to OD- The Diagnostic Phase9:58
(OD) – The Diagnostic Phase
  The Diagnostic Phase and It's Link to Evaluation Processes14:53
  Models and Key Questions12:26
  Data Collection Methods10:21
  Types of Data Collection8:53
  Types of Data Collection (CONTINUED)8:22
  Data Analysis5:05
  Data Feedback and Action Planning3:40
CONCLUSION
  Conclusion2:33
CONTINUOUS PLAY
  OD – The Diagnostic Phase1:16:10
SUPPORTING MATERIALS
  Slides: OD – The Diagnostic PhasePDF
  OD – The Diagnostic Phase Glossary/IndexPDF
REVIEW and TEST
  REVIEW QUESTIONSquiz
 FINAL EXAMexam