Introduction to Organisation Development (OD)
A short course for organisation leaders and aspirant practitioners

This is a five-day, residential programme which provides an introduction to some of the key theories, frameworks and practices which form the foundation of organisation development (OD).

The programme draws on nine years of Olive’s experience of OD practice and will be of value to:
· leaders of civil society organisations who seek a deeper understanding of the organisations of which they are the stewards;
· leaders who want to enhance their effectiveness in supporting the development of their organisations;
· consultants or other development workers who want to explore developing their capacity to work in the field of OD.

Programme Details

Title: Introduction to Organisation Development
Length: 5 days
Dates and times: 5pm, 24 August till 1pm, 29 August 2003
Venue: Hebron Haven Hotel, Lion’s River, Howick
KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
Fee: R2000 per participant (all inclusive)
The Group: Up to 24 participants
Accreditation: None. Certificates of attendance are available.
General: Participation in this programme will be a
recommendation for individuals wishing to
apply to attend the ODP Formation Programme (2004-5).

How we will learn

A range of learning styles will be catered for. Grounded in a reading programme, participants will learn through:
· presentations of theory and approaches;
· working with their own experience to draw out insights;
· application of ideas through case studies, individual design exercises and group exercises; and
· creative exercises.

A strong element of personal reflection and development runs through the programme. Applicants need to be aware of, and willing to engage in, this process.

Objectives of the Programme

By the end of the programme, participants will have:
· an understanding of the key concepts of OD;
· an understanding of OD as a process of building leadership,
facilitating learning and enabling developmental change in human systems;
· been introduced to and worked with models and frameworks for understanding and working with organisations;
· explored the values underpinning their own practice and those underpinning OD practice;
· explored the role and capabilities of an OD practitioner;
· been exposed to a number of tools and techniques for OD practice; and
· developed strategies to transfer and continue the learning begun in this programme.

Core content

· Systems thinking and a systems perspective on organisations.
· Action learning and the Action Learning Cycle.
· Phases of organisation development.
· Levels of complexity.
· Change polarities.
· Roles and capabilities of an OD practitioner and the organisation’s leadership.
· Working with values.
· Working with questions.

How to apply

Please contact Desré Stead at Olive by 21 July 2002.

Our contact details are:
Olive (OD and Training)
21 Sycamore Road
Glenwood
Durban 4001
South Africa
Tel: (031) 2061534
Fax: (031) 2052114
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.oliveodt.co.za

This programme is open to all those whose primary interest is in developing a basic understanding of OD. It is also one of the entry points to the OD Practitioner Formation Programme (2004-5), a two-year development programme offered by Olive (South Africa), Trace (Tanzania) and Ibis-Ghana.