The cardinal rule in the OD profession is this: Opinions don’t matter . This is because opinions can often be subjective, biased, or based on erroneous information. Theories and scholarly, peer-reviewed literature are much more objective and reliable; therefore, they should be incorporated into every OD assessment, diagnosis, intervention, and overall change strategy. In this week’s Discussion, you will have the opportunity to apply theories in your analysis of a real-world organization.

Select two of the theories presented this week and apply each to a contemporary organization. The organization that you choose should not be your current or former employer.

OD Theories

Action Research

Campbell’s theory of performance

Complexity Theory

Family systems theory (needed for the Week 6 application)

Groupthink

Individual differences

Kotter’s 8 Step Process of Change

Lewin’s change theory

McKinsey 7-S Model

Organizational development theory

Social identity theory

Social learning theory

Stage Theory of Change

Systems theory

Theory of planned behavior

Theory of reasoned action

Theory X, Theory Y

Identify the two OD theories you selected.

Explain how the two theories you selected reflect an issue the organization is currently facing.

Explain how you could use these two theories to help the organization better understand and resolve the issue.

Describe some methods and processes that you would use to explain these two theories, and their relevance, to your client.