Toolkit Introduction
The purpose of this toolkit is to provide OD practitioners the tools they need on-line to create successful consultations. These aids come in the form of OD practices, processes, case studies and scenarios, methods, theories, and approaches that can be used to support organization change efforts.
Beyond this very practical use, the toolkit can also help practitioners understand the specific context in which the tools can be used in the service of organization change. As such, it can be viewed as a three legged stool that makes unique contributions in three different areas, including:
- Practitioner education
- Change methodologies
- Tools
The toolkit is offered to support all practitioners, with particular emphasis upon those who are new to the practice of OD and may have little or no experience in the field. Thus, it serves to lay the foundation for newcomers and help them establish their base knowledge of and experience with OD. More seasoned practitioners can also benefit from the toolkit by using it as a guide to refresh and hone their skills. Veterans of OD might also find the toolkit to be a useful source of information for educating clients.
How to use this toolkit
There are two basic approaches to using this toolkit. The first, which is recommended to those new to the practice of OD, is to work through the table of contents in order. While this process may be time consuming, you will probably also find it to be the most comprehensive in addressing the grand question "What is this OD thing I keep hearing about?" The second approach is to find a topic of interest in the table of contents and jump right in. This approach is the most appropriate if you are looking for information on a particular topic or don't have much time right now. However, it is recommended that you eventually come back and "fill in the gaps".
Toolkit Project Leader: Marilyn Blair