Organization Development (OD) refers to the interdisciplinary field of practitioners and scholars who work collaboratively with organizations and communities to develop their system-wide capacity for effectiveness and vitality. It is grounded in the organization and social sciences.

Organization development is based on (1) a set of values, largely humanistic; (2) application of the behavioral sciences; and (3) open systems theory. It is a system-wide process of planned change aimed toward improving overall organization effectiveness by way of enhanced congruence of such key organization dimensions as external environment, mission, strategy, leadership, culture, structure, information and reward systems, and work policies and procedures.
(Warner Burke and David Bradford)
Source: Organization Development and Change, 9th ed. (mcs.gov.kh) Chapter 1, page 2

OD can improve an organization’s problem-solving capabilities and its ability to cope with changes in its external environment with the help of external or internal behavioral-scientist consultants, or change agents.
(Wendell French)
Source: Organization Development and Change, 9th ed. (mcs.gov.kh) (Chapter 1, page 2)

Elements of OD can be found in a number of fields, from Human Resources to Information Technology and is guided by strong values such as humanistic, organization-wide, inquiry-based and collaborative, developmental-focused, systems-oriented, and research- and evidence-informed.

Although the field of OD has formally been around since WWII, it continually evolves to meet the new needs of organizations and communities, such as a growing investment in understanding and enacting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) theories and practices.

The field of OD includes practitioners and scholars, internal and external consultants, as well as OD-adjacent professionals, which could include anyone in a managerial position or grounded in social sciences.

• To explore the field of OD and its constructs/concepts further, visit the National OD Network website.
• To explore real-life examples of how ODN Oregon uses the Global OD Competency Model and this definition of OD to effect change, visit our Community Consulting Program (CCP) page.