Introduction to Organisational Development
Discover organisational development models and strategies, and develop your OD skills to boost performance and improve culture.
Duration
3 weeksWeekly study
2 hours
Introduction to Organisational Development
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Learn OD concepts to help your organisation reach its goals
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Organisational development (OD) uses behavioural science to help you implement systems and techniques aimed at affecting your organisation’s performance and culture.
On this three-week course, you’ll learn the main concepts of OD and gain the necessary skills to be able to describe the main theories and ideas of organisational development.
This course is perfect if you’re looking to move into an OD role, or you want to use organisational development techniques in your current role to improve your processes.
Explore organisational strategy and capability
Organisational development works with people to change, improve, and transform aspects of the system so that they have the capability to achieve the strategy.
This course will explain what OD strategy is, and how it’s intrinsically linked to capability. As part of this, you’ll identify OD theories, models, and research to reinforce your approach to organisational development.
You’ll also look at the different types of data, both qualitative and quantitative, and how you can use data to inform your OD processes.
Discover the importance of self in OD practice
Alongside using the OD toolkit of techniques, methods, and tests, OD practitioners themselves need to continually change, adapt, and develop.
On this course, you’ll learn about the ‘use of self’ and why you should focus on self-knowledge and personal development to improve your organisational development work.
What topics will you cover?
- Definitions and applications of OD
- The role OD plays in delivering successful organisational outcomes
- OD theories and models
- The importance of self in OD practice
- The impact OD can make on staff, customers/clients and the organisation
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Discuss the definitions and applications of OD
- Explain the role OD plays in delivering successful organisational outcomes
- Identify areas of OD theories and models and research in more detail
- Reflect on the importance of self in OD practice
- Describe the impact OD can make on staff, customers/clients and the organisation
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone interested in learning about OD theory and practice. It will be especially useful to those not currently working in organisational development and looking to enter the field.
What software or tools do you need?
No specific software needed, just an interest in finding out about OD!
Who developed the course?
NHS Employers
We are the employers’ organisation for the NHS in England. We support NHS workforce leaders through our practical tools and resources, through our expert advice and guidance, and by listening to employers to ensure your voice is represented.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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You can use the hashtag #EssentialElementsOD to talk about this course on social media.