Organisation Design is the intentional patterning of behaviour to enable an organisation to perform well. Organisational designers enable positive human behaviour for positive organisational outcomes. Similar to Building Architecture, organisations have macro-design (overall building or organisational shape) and micro-design (the detail in a corner of a room in a building is like the careful construction of a Key Performance Area in a job description or the redesign of a meeting agenda item). Both organisations and buildings should fit well into the context of where they are located.
Unlike buildings, organisations are made of people who behave in ways quite unlike bricks and concrete. Organisation designers should consider the past and present patterns of the organisation and then attempt to stabilise or shift those patterns into the future. Those patterns are shaped by the relationship between the established structure and the adaptive forces of agents – the “way things are” and “forces of change and stability”.
This Skills Programme enables those responsible for organisation design to understand the current and desired patterns with sufficient confidence to introduce drivers or modulators that shift patterns.
Organisation Design is both an art and a science. The best design includes smart, practical judgements rooted in a business case, supported by facts and often developed through a series of hypotheses to be tested. Organisation Design is not simply about mapping out an organisational structure, but also about how the organisation is aligned with all other aspects, functions, processes and strategies within the business.
Organisation Design is widely regarded as a competitive capability. Executives need to find ways to help their organisations respond quickly to strategic shifts, and that responsiveness is highly influenced by the available Organisation Design capability. Organisation Design is a critical component of the Organisation Development capability. That means that a single school of thought should integrate Organisation Design, Organisation Development and Organisational Change.
At WorldsView™ Academy, we have developed our Organisation Design and Organisation Development programmes with that intention. This interactive class provides a sound methodology and useful tools for Organisation Design. Any organisation looking to build a coherent Design and Development capability should consider this programme in conjunction with other Organisation Development programmes from WorldsView™ Academy.
Understand and explain to clients (line managers) the impact of different organisational designs on the way the organisation functions. (Understand).
To work with clients to consider why a current design is not working and so improve performance in an existing organisational structure. (Apply)
To work with clients to evaluate and compare alternative organisational designs to the current design. (Analyse)
24 classroom hours over 6 half or 3 full days, 6 preparation hours
Assessment in this skills program is formative, involving reflection and group work, inviting peer and program facilitator feedback. There is no formal assessment.
The WorldsView™ Academy Learning Process underlies all WorldsView™ programmes and is informed by progressive research about learning in contemporary environments. Our learning process consists of four learning channels:
Only qualified and experienced organisation development practitioners are appointed as Faculty in WorldsView Academy. Faculty members are selected in accordance with the specific module criteria. The requirements for the appointment of Faculty include relevant academic qualifications, experience in developing organisations and facilitation or lecturing experience.
Organisation Development and Organisation Effectiveness practitioners, Human Resources practitioners, Managers and Leaders who want to understand and apply Organisation Design to drive coherence for effective, healthy organisations.
NQF level 7 or equivalent
Age exemption (23 years or older)
English at NQF level 6 or equivalent
At WorldsView™ Academy, we understand that companies have unique organisational needs, which is why we offer customised training and development solutions to best suit your particular requirements. Please contact us for further information in this regard.
We strongly recommend that organisations send at least two delegates. Due to the practical nature of this program, outcomes are significantly improved with 2 or more delegates from one organisation.
This course is also available as an in-house option for 7+ delegates.