Organizational Development

In general, it can pertain to a company, a non-government organization (NGO), a health club, a student body and anything of the sort. The unifying thread among all these various forms is that they want to achieve something which, in the first place, made them band together. But what does it take to ensure the success of the organization? Much like an individual, an organization requires nourishment to support and improve its functions. These nourishments come in the form in what is collectively and aptly termed Organizational Development. It was earlier stated that organizations come in various forms and therefore requires different organizational development processes although there may be some similarities. The non-profit, service oriented type does not require product development as companies do but personnel skills enhancement and training is applicable to both. Our discussion will be limited to the company form. Perhaps no other form of organization finds its mortality as high as those found in the company. Surviving the business world is a tough adventure so to speak. Nevertheless, there are numerous companies which succeeded and are still thriving because they implemented organizational development concepts. Thomas Cummings created the definition which is more comprehensive and complete than the others. According to him, the term is used to denote a system-wide process of applying behavioural and science knowledge to the planned change and development of the strategies, design components, and processes that enable organizations to be effective. Nevertheless, definitions are just attempts to improve organization effectiveness, and each organization is able to create its own right way to effective development.