Organization development (OD) is a term that refers to a planned and sustained long-term effort to improve the ability of an organization to achieve its self-identified goals within an atmosphere that promotes the growth and well-being of its individual members. Organizations that are successful in attaining both of these elements are thought of as “healthy organizations.” Organizational consultation is the process through which one or more professionals facilitates the efforts of an organization to achieve a healthy state.

Organization development is relevant to organizations of many different kinds, including companies, schools, professional associations, and community agencies. Although OD frequently focuses on an entire organization, it also could be used to address the effectiveness of major units within an organization (e.g., a company's personnel department or the ...