Organization Development: A Practitioner's Guide for OD and HR

Perhaps the OD authors read too much of their wordy-to-useless meanderings...Example: "...Hence in the field of evaluation of any OD intervention, our role is to elicit and stimulate the innovation and adaptation processes by encouraging the system to use real-time and rapid feedback processes to track the implications and results of any specific intervention so that we can facilitate the ongoing, real-time, data-based decision making in the developmental process. In that way, the evaluation process will become an ongoing powerful developmental intervention both to the outcome as well as to the behavioural changes of the system members..."

I love this book, and just bought another copy for one of my team members. It lays out theory and practice around Organization Development interventions. Having met Mee Yan Cheung Judge in the UK, I can say she is even more impressive in person. Lots to digest in this book.

I’m still reading but so far so good.

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great book

A great bible for all OD practitioners. I use it all the time.

It covers many basic concepts and the main theories from which OD has evolved that I was looking for. Although it falls short on the people side and the 3 cubes methodology seems a bit obsolete now.

This is a fairly specialist book that looks at polishing and lubricating; polishing your company and making sure that it is running as effectively and efficiently as possible through its well-lubricated operations. Or, if you prefer a dry description: “organization development is the systematic method of taking an objective look at how an organization is operating and gathering information, and then deciding on the most appropriate action to help that organization develop and improve.”This is a revised (second) edition of a book that further ups its game, adding new chapters to include topics such as complexity and chaos theory, employee engagement, cultural issues and greater internationalisation. It is a fully restructured, renovated version rather than a marginal release, such as the typical difference between a 2014 and 2015 model car.Collaboration is key and the authors are seeking to push greater unity between those responsible for a company’s human machines (human resources) and the more general machine structure (the organization). It does appear to offer up a fair mix of theory, good practice, guidance and thought-provoking moments: you would not get a half-decent consultant to even give you an hour of their time for the price of this book! It is never going to be a New York Times bestseller, although for those whom this book is aimed at, this would or should be a closely consulted companion.It is plausible that even executives with no specific responsibility for this subject could get some benefit from this book, even if they will be drowning in industry jargon and unfamiliar terminology, since many of the theories and practices are not, or should not, be isolated to a chosen few, such as employee engagement, effective leadership, internal politics and behavioural changes.As you would expect from a book of this kind, especially coming from this publisher, it has an easy-on-the-eye yet serious layout style, an excellent index and, of course, a mass of further reading suggestions through its detailed bibliography.So, if you possibly have a need for this book, grab it with both hands.

I wanted a book that gave me a broad coverage of the subject to help orientate me. This book did not disappoint. It's also well written. It's one of those books that I have on my desk permanently as it also serves as an excellent reference. If you're looking for a good introduction into this subject, I recommend this one.

Good book even if a bit academic, however it covers all aspects and gives many good points and great background for anyone interested in OD. This was recommended to me by a friend who is ann academic practitioner in the field of OD.

Great book and really easy to read very insitful

Fabulous and inspirational

An absolute must for anyone leading change in any industry. Provides the framework from which the skills of the OD practitioner can flourish. No quick fixes here, a serious yet accessible text.