Human Process Intervention
AMGT 420: Principles of Organizational Development
Professor: Michele Barregarye
Assignment 4-2: Human Process Intervention
7/21/11
In business and in large organizations, working relationships are vital to the overall health of the group. Human process interventions are geared towards improving interaction among individuals working together and resolve conflict. Human process interventions include interpersonal and group process approaches such as process consultation, third-party interventions, and team building. These interventions are the most notable human process OD interventions which focus on improving working relationships and maximize productivity. An interesting intervention to investigate is process consultation.
Process consultation is a practice introduced in the works of Edgar Schein a highly respected OD scholar. According to Schein, process consultation is “the creation of a relationship that permits the client to perceive, understand, and act on the process events that occur in client’s internal and external environment in order to improve the situation as defined by the client” (Cummings, T & Worley. C 2009). The emphasis is on forming a helping relationship because process consultation is a mutual understanding between the client and consultant on working together on specific issues put forth by the client. The intent of the intervention is to form a partnership to improve working relationships by the client presenting the issues to the consultant, and the consultant presenting techniques, thinking, and best practices for finding solutions for pressing problems. Because the partnership is fluid, it explores all possible solutions, but narrows choices down to relevant approaches that can improve the issue at hand.
The key objective of any interventions is to produce desired behavior and performance. The main goal of process consultation is to diagnose the problems facing the organization, find solutions, and improve the overall
Professor: Michele Barregarye
Assignment 4-2: Human Process Intervention
7/21/11
In business and in large organizations, working relationships are vital to the overall health of the group. Human process interventions are geared towards improving interaction among individuals working together and resolve conflict. Human process interventions include interpersonal and group process approaches such as process consultation, third-party interventions, and team building. These interventions are the most notable human process OD interventions which focus on improving working relationships and maximize productivity. An interesting intervention to investigate is process consultation.
Process consultation is a practice introduced in the works of Edgar Schein a highly respected OD scholar. According to Schein, process consultation is “the creation of a relationship that permits the client to perceive, understand, and act on the process events that occur in client’s internal and external environment in order to improve the situation as defined by the client” (Cummings, T & Worley. C 2009). The emphasis is on forming a helping relationship because process consultation is a mutual understanding between the client and consultant on working together on specific issues put forth by the client. The intent of the intervention is to form a partnership to improve working relationships by the client presenting the issues to the consultant, and the consultant presenting techniques, thinking, and best practices for finding solutions for pressing problems. Because the partnership is fluid, it explores all possible solutions, but narrows choices down to relevant approaches that can improve the issue at hand.
The key objective of any interventions is to produce desired behavior and performance. The main goal of process consultation is to diagnose the problems facing the organization, find solutions, and improve the overall
References: Ross , G. (2001, November 5). Management 3000: 21st Century Process Consultation. Retrieved July 21, 2011, from Management 2001 website: http://www.manage2001.com/pc.htm Steps in a formal consultation exercise. (2011). Retrieved July 21, 2011, from Good Practive Participate website: http://www.goodpracticeparticipate.govt.nz/levels-of-participation/one-off-consultation/steps-in-formal-consultation.html