What is OD?
Is OD the same as training?
What can OD do for my department?
Retreats
What are the benefits of OD?
How do I request a consult?

What is Organization Development?
Organization development is a system-wide application of behavioral science knowledge to the planned development and reinforcement of organizational strategies, structures, and processes for improving an organization's effectiveness. (Cummings and Worley, "Organization Development and Change", Sixth Edition, South-Western Publishing, 1997, p.2.)

Relative to UCF and Human Resources, OD & Training means:

• Consulting with departments to improve effectiveness; specifically, assessing exact needs, developing and implementing strategic planned change efforts to link goals, skills and processes to the overall mission, vision and strategy of UCF
• The client and consultant work together to gather data (via interviews, surveys & OTJ observations), define issues and determine a suitable course of action. The department is assessed to create an understanding of the current situation and to identify opportunities for change that will meet business objectives
• OD differs from traditional consulting because client involvement is encouraged throughout the entire process. The ways in which people communicate and work together are addressed in addition to technical or procedural issues that need resolution
• Empowering individuals and teams by using valid and reliable research to create, manage and embrace efficient and effective change
• Developing staff, faculty & administrators to create a culture of excellent service and leadership across all levels of instruction, research, service and outreach

Is OD the same as training?
No, the two fields compliment each other. OD involves analyzing 3 areas of an organization: its people, its processes, and its planning. Training on the other hand, typically only involves the people component. Training people will not solve every issue. Sometimes the issue requires a change in the process, and/or further strategic planning efforts.

What can OD do for my department?
Often described as "change agents," OD consultants facilitate the following types of activities:

• Strategic Planning
• Surveys/Assessments/Action Research
• Teambuilding
• Goal Setting
• Group Facilitation
• Leadership Development
• Executive Coaching
• Management Development
• Creative Problem Solving
• Succession Planning
• Conflict Resolution
• Process Analysis & Redesign
• Interpersonal Communication
• Human Resources Management
• Restructuring
• High Involvement Work Teams
• Systems Design
• Training & Development
• Total Quality Management
• Continuous Improvement

Retreats
“A team retreat is a popular way for team members to build mutual trust and commitment. A retreat may involve team members spending a day off-site and engaging in cooperative, shared fun activities. This usually results in a good time had by all. However, inexperienced retreat facilitators often fail to address the structural and design problems that plague the team on a day-to-day basis in the work environment.” (Tools for Teams, Craig Swenson)

For this reason, OD & Training takes a more comprehensive approach to analyzing team effectiveness. Team effectiveness is best addressed by examining the team in its own environment while team members are engaged in actual work, and/or by employee survey/assessment. A retreat can still be part of the success equation, but we cannot rely on one day of “fun” to resolve all the issues. True team effectiveness is a process not an event.

What are the benefits of OD?

• Performance improvement
• Increased effectiveness
• Improved culture
• Improved morale
• Increased retention
• Increased efficiency/productivity
• Increased customer satisfaction
• Career progression/succession planning
• Greater commitment to the organization
• Overall cost savings

How do I request an OD consult?
Please contact us today by phone: 407-823-0440 or email: od&training@mail.ucf.edu.

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