12 Questions
Match the following phases of the change process with their descriptions:
Description phase = Situation analysis and identification of objectives and constraints Options generation phase = Generation and evaluation of potential solutions Implementation phase = Implementation of options and consolidation Performance measures = Established to assess progress towards objectives
Match the following change implementation strategies with their descriptions:
Pilot studies = Implementation strategy involving trial runs Parallel running = Implementation strategy involving simultaneous operation of old and new systems Big bang = Implementation strategy involving immediate transition to the new system Consolidation = Crucial for the change to be accepted and successful
Match the following terms with their definitions:
Objectives = Desirable goals Constraints = Factors that prevent achievement of objectives Options generation = Process of generating and evaluating potential solutions Performance measures = Used to assess progress towards objectives
Match the following stages of change process with their characteristics:
Description phase = Involves analyzing the situation and identifying objectives and constraints Options generation phase = Involves generating potential solutions and evaluating them against performance measures Implementation phase = Involves implementing options and consolidating the change Further changes after implementation = May be necessary to maintain balance between the system and the environment
Match the following types of relationships with their characteristics:
Unitary = Share common interests and values, largely agree upon ends and means Pluralist = Have basic compatibility of interest, values and beliefs diverge to some extent Coercive = Do not share common interests, have conflicting values and beliefs
Match the following perspectives with their features in the hard systems model of change:
Unitary perspective = Relating to each other from a unitary perspective, sharing common interests and participating in decision making Pluralist perspective = Relating to each other from a pluralist perspective, having basic compatibility of interest and participating in decision making Coercive perspective = Relating to each other from a coercive perspective, not sharing common interests and coercing others to accept decisions
Match the following steps in the hard systems model of change with their descriptions:
Determining objectives for change = Rigorous and systematic way of setting goals for change Generating options for action = Producing a range of options for taking action Testing options against explicit criteria = Evaluating the generated options against a set of explicit criteria
Match the following situations with their placement on the 'hard' end of the hard-soft continuum of change situations:
Hard systems model of change = Useful for dealing with situations lying towards the 'hard' end of the continuum Soft systems model of change = More suitable for addressing softer end of the continuum situations
Match the following problem-solving approaches with their descriptions:
Resolve a problem = Select a course of action that yields a good enough outcome Solve a problem = Reliant on research-based scientific methods, techniques, and tools Dissolve a problem = Change the nature or environment of the entity to remove the problem Organizational development = Long-term effort to improve visioning, empowerment, learning, and problem-solving processes
Match the following characteristics of organizational development with their descriptions:
Emphasizes organizaional learning = Improving capacity to change Deals with change over medium to long term = Change that needs to be sustained over a significant period of time Involves the organization as a whole and its parts = Parcipative, drawing on behavioral science theory and practices Participative approach = Theory and technology of applied behavioral science, including action research
Match the following terms with their meanings:
Mess management = Research approach to managing problems Applied behavioral science = Theory and technology used in organizational development Action research = Consultant-facilitator role in organizational culture management OD approach to change = Improving an organization's visioning, empowerment, learning, and problem-solving processes
Match the following problem-solving approaches with their examples:
Resolve a problem = 'Lack of time' or 'lack of information' justifications Solve a problem = Approaches heavily reliant on research-based scientific methods Dissolve a problem = Redesigning the characteristics of the larger system containing the problem Organizational development = Collaborative management of organization culture with special emphasis on intact work teams
Study Notes
- The change process can be divided into three overlapping phases: description, options generation, and implementation.
- In the description phase, the situation is analyzed and objectives and constraints are identified.
- Objectives are desirable goals, and constraints are factors that prevent their achievement.
- Performance measures are established to assess progress towards objectives.
- In the options generation phase, potential solutions (options) are generated and evaluated.
- Options can be generated using various creative techniques and methods.
- Each option is then detailed and evaluated against performance measures.
- In the implementation phase, options are implemented and consolidated.
- Implementation strategies include pilot studies, parallel running, and big bang.
- Consolidation is crucial for the change to be accepted and successful.
- Even after implementation, further changes may be necessary to maintain balance between the system and the environment.
Test your knowledge of hard systems models of change and the characteristics of unitary, pluralist, and coercive relationships. Explore the dynamics of people relating to each other from different perspectives and understand the shared interests, values, decision-making processes, and objectives involved.
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