Where does Organisation Development fit, as we transform the NHS and Social care systems.

( OD for Non OD People)

Organisation Development is the application of the behavioural sciences into the workplace and fundamentally is focused upon effective change and improvement in business performance. There are many modes of change agency and many, many books written about change. OD is a particular approach to change. With its roots in the emancipatory movement of the 60’s and the development of psychological approaches to change it offers those interested in change an opportunity to consider how to focus on highly engaging modes of change agency.

This workshop is aims to provide an opportunity for those who do not consider themselves Organisation Development practitioners to come along and explore what OD is and is not.

Learning Outcomes:

Participants will:

  • Consider dominant approaches to change in our health and care environment.
  • Be introduced to the history of OD and the nature of the OD process of change.
  • Hear case studies from around our region in which OD approaches are being used to bring about change and improvement
  • Explore in small groups key elements of the practice of OD
  • Consider the key competencies for the delivery of OD
  • Compare and contrast an OD approach to change with others modes of change agency
  • Reflect upon where OD may help and hinder the change effort

Indicative Agenda

Time / Session description
9.15 / Welcome and purpose of this workshop
9.25 / What is OD and where did it come from
9.50 / Modes of change agency within organisations
10.30 / What are the issues you face currently – exploring when an OD approach would be useful and when it would not
11.00 / Refreshment break
11.15 / OD as a mode of change agency – the OD cycle – an overview
11.30 / Exploring the similarities and differences with your current modes of working
11.50 / Plenary feedback and collective thinking
12.30 / Lunch break
1.15 / Action research as the basis for all OD work and its linkage to staff engagement and ownership
1.30 / The nature of data in our work and in the field of OD
1.45 / Plenary feedback
2.00 / Delving into data gathering and designing OD interventions – A case study
2.20 / OD interventions are fundamentally cultural interventions – what does this mean for you and your work?
2.40 / Designing OD interventions – doing the right work at the right level
2.50 / Refreshment break
3.05 / Clients , contracting and ethics – some key points and questions to consider
3.30 / Can a focus on OD skills and approaches help in your field of work the organisation achieve its goals?
3.45 / Final plenary
4.00 / Close

The workshop is facilitated by Dr Maxine Craig. Maxine is a freelance development practitioner a role which she took up part time in 2011, but one which she made her main work when she hung up her NHS boots in 2015, having served the public for over 33 years. She now focuses upon building OD capacity and capability, undertaking interesting OD projects and contributing to local communities.

Maxine is a Visiting Professor of Leadership and Management, a Trustee of Teesside Hospice and a Board Member of the European Organisation Development Network

Dr Maxine Craig is fascinated by people and structures and the impact they have upon each other. She works with groups, teams and communities across a range of sectors to support improvement in business performance and personal thriving. She has a keen and practical interest in how democratic and governance structures impact and support (or not!) wellbeing in the groups, workplaces and the wider community. In both 2013 and 2014 she was awarded Top 50 Innovator status (Health Service Journal) for her work across the country over a 15-year period in team development. Maxine’s profile can be found at