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Specialist knowledge
Organisational development and design
Using a systemic approach and application of behavioural science to drive organisation performance
Organisation development and design (OD&D) is about taking a systems and behavioural science-based approach to improving an organisation's performance.
OD&D considers both the ‘hard’ elements of an organisation (design) – structures, frameworks, systems, policies and metrics – and the 'soft' elements of an organisation (development) – its culture, capability, values, behaviours, and relationships. It requires a deep understanding of all these elements as part of a wider integrated ecosystem.
OD&D helps organisations to understand the ‘current state’ and work towards an imagined or desired 'future state', identifying issues and opportunities, and effectively supporting and facilitating people, teams and organisations through change.
'In order to operate effectively and provide good work and a good employee/customer experience, organisations need to be consciously and reflectively designed and developed. As the business context becomes more interconnected, more complex and more technology enabled, the skills of organisation design and development are increasingly demanded.'
Dr Naomi Stanford - organisation design practitioner, teacher, and author
Organisation development and design standards
Each standard progresses through four levels of impact. Which level do you most embody in your day-to-day work?
Fundamental level
At this level you'll understand:
- What the consulting cycle is in relation to OD&D
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- What organisation development diagnostic tools are used in your organisation
- The different organisation development interventions in your organisation
- How macro trends impact work
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- What organisation design diagnostic tools are used in your organisation
- The different types of organisation structures
- What makes work meaningful
Associate level
At this level you'll understand:
- Your organisation’s consulting processes and methods and how to apply them
- Core organisation development theory (eg change, culture, behaviour)
- The difference between organisation development diagnostic tools at individual and team level and when to apply them
- The range of organisation development interventions available and how to select the right one
- Macro trends that impact the design of organisations (eg sustainability, geopolitical, demographic, technology)
- The theories that underpin organisation design (eg systems theory, complexity theory, contingency theory)
- The different organisation design diagnostic tools at individual and team level
- The pros and cons of different types of organisation structures
- How to design good work (volumetric, meaningful work, human / automated processes)
Chartered Member level
At this level you'll understand:
- A range of consulting processes and styles and how to apply them in different situations
- How to critically evaluate organisation development theories, use them to inform people practice, and apply them in your work
- How to assess the value of organisation development diagnostic tools at individual, team and organisation level, and apply them in your work
- How to design and deliver different organisation development interventions
- How to use future predictions of macro trends in the ‘to be’ organisation design
- How to use organisation design theories to create design principles across different organisation elements (eg strategy, systems, processes)
- How to use and assess the value of organisation design diagnostic tools at individual, team and organisation level
- How to assess which organisation design structures are most appropriate for organisational need
- How to make good work design choices (eg who does what work, how work is done)
Chartered Fellow level
At this level you'll understand:
- The spectrum of consulting approaches available and how to apply in complex situations
- How to integrate the range of organisation development theory into strategic people approaches
- How organisation development diagnostic tools support and contribute to wider organisation assessments
- How different organisation development interventions deliver value for the organisation
- How to 'scenario plan' for longer term organisation design thinking
- How to use organisation design theories to create design principles across organisational boundaries
- How organisation design diagnostic tools align to wider organisation assessments and those of partner organisations
- How structures work and align across interdependent organisations
- How to build ethical considerations into work design
Things to start thinking about
Use these prompts to reflect on your understanding of Organisation development and design and uncover areas for future professional development.
- How well does your OD&D team deliver and enable different types of change across the organisation?
- What OD&D methods, approaches, tools and skills do you need to deliver in your current role?
- How do you measure and assess your OD&D interventions?
- When did you last review the hard and soft elements of your organisation against strategic objectives?
Resources to guide your work, career planning and development, available on the CIPD's main site.
CIPD Advanced Award in Organisation Design and Development
A qualification designed to address organisation development and design capability among HR professionals and L&D specialists by providing theoretical understanding of OD and design issues, together with practical knowledge and skills.
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