select either a real organization or a hypothetical one.
Company Name: Amazon
Assume the organization for your OD project is facing dramatic challenges for which senior management is asking for your expertise. As an OD professional, you will design and implement an intervention that will help the organization improve productivity, accomplish objectives, and engage employees.
This week:
Write a report including the following:
Name of your selected organization (you can provide a disguised name of the selected organization). Determine if you will approach the project as an external consultant or an internal employee, and include a summary of key information about the organization.
Provide background information on the organization. How many people does it employ? In which industry does it operate? Is it a market leader? What types of products or services does it sell?
The problem(s) the selected organization faces. Analyze the problems using the open systems approach by identifying where the need for change arose and what areas of the organization are affected by the need for change. What is the nature of the problems the organization faces? How severe are these problems? Are these problems specific to the organization or common to most organizations in the industry? What do you think are the root causes of these problems?
If you were an external OD consultant, who you would contact regarding working with this organization? What kind of information would you need to include in a contract, and what kind of fee structure would you develop?
Full Answer Section
Organizational Problems
TechNova is facing several interconnected challenges:
- Declining employee morale and engagement: There has been a noticeable decline in employee satisfaction, leading to increased turnover and decreased productivity.
- Inefficient communication: Siloed departments and a lack of effective communication channels hinder collaboration and decision-making.
- Outdated organizational structure: The current hierarchical structure is not aligned with the company's agile and innovative goals.
- Difficulty in adapting to change: The organization struggles to respond quickly to market shifts and technological advancements.
Open Systems Perspective:
These problems can be traced back to the organization's internal systems and processes. The hierarchical structure, coupled with poor communication, has created a culture of siloed thinking and resistance to change. This, in turn, has affected employee morale, engagement, and productivity. The external environment, characterized by rapid technological advancements and increasing competition, has exacerbated these internal challenges.
The root causes of these problems appear to be a combination of factors:
- Leadership style: A top-down leadership approach may be hindering employee empowerment and innovation.
- Organizational culture: A rigid and bureaucratic culture may be stifling creativity and adaptability.
- Talent management: The organization may not be effectively developing and retaining its top talent.
These problems are not unique to TechNova but are common challenges faced by many organizations. However, the severity of these issues and their impact on the company's competitiveness warrant immediate attention.
Next Steps:
As an internal OD consultant, my initial focus will be on conducting a more in-depth needs assessment to gather data on employee perceptions, organizational performance metrics, and external market trends. This information will be used to develop a comprehensive change management plan.
While acting as an internal consultant offers advantages in terms of knowledge of the organization, it also presents challenges in terms of maintaining objectivity. To address this, I will seek input from employees at all levels and consider bringing in external experts for specific areas of expertise.
Sample Answer
Organization: TechNova Solutions (Disguised Name)
Role: Internal OD Consultant
Organizational Overview:
TechNova Solutions is a mid-sized IT services company with approximately 800 employees across three primary locations: New York City, Bangalore, and London. The company specializes in software development, IT consulting, and cloud solutions. While TechNova has experienced significant growth in recent years, it has struggled to maintain its position as a market leader in the face of increasing competition and rapid technological advancements.