Practicing Organization Development, 5th Edition

CHAPTER SIXTEENLarge Systems Transformation and Change

Ann Feyerherm

Organization development (OD) interventions are crucial for helping large systems transform and adapt to rapidly changing environments. Building an agile organization or creating a network to tackle complex problems are just two examples of how OD can facilitate significant change. This chapter outlines a coherent set of OD practices designed for large systems, focusing on engaging system participants through assessment, action planning, and implementation. It defines the nature of large system interventions, describes their key characteristics, and provides examples of successful change methods. By highlighting the importance of closure in the OD process, this chapter emphasizes how effective closure practices enhance organizational agility and learning, ultimately contributing to sustained transformation and resilience.

LARGE SYSTEMS DESIGN: TRANSFORMATION AND CHANGE

OD interventions in large systems involve changes in organizational entities that are relatively large in size, such as a large global firm or government agency, one of their major divisions, or an alliance they might form with other organizations. These change programs include significant transformations in large systems’ character and performance. The character of a large system includes the pattern of exchanges between the system and its environment as well as the design of the system’s internal structures, processes, and procedures for ...