Module 2 – Case

Organizational Diagnostic Models

Assignment Overview

XCG

The Excellent Consulting Group

Communication from Art:

Thank you for your report on the strategy analysis of Whole Foods Market. Now, we need to move ahead to the next part of this project.

ABC Company and Whole Foods Market have decided they want to do an Organizational Diagnosis to determine how various aspects of Whole Foods Market are aligned, such as inputs, resources, productivity, throughput effort, outputs, performance, strategy, etc. They want to know if there are any significant issues at Whole Foods Market and how these issues might affect its integration into ABC Company.

Required Reading:

Download and read this white paper by Falletta about OD models. Salvatore Falletta, President and CEO of Leadersphere, has written a white paper that reviews several commonly used models of organizational diagnosis. You will use several of these models in conducting your integrative Case project. The relevant part of this paper in terms of this class is the first 31 pages. The last part of the paper (pp. 32-43) deals with the theoretical foundations of the Burke & Litwin model, Falletta’s Organizational Intelligence Model; reading that is optional. We are not covering Falletta’s Organizational Intelligence Model.

Falletta, S. V. (2005) Organizational Diagnostic Models: A Review and Synthesis. Retrieved January 15, 2014, from http://www.iei.liu.se/fek/frist/723g16/files/1.120328/Orgmodels.pdf

Falletta provides an overview of Open Systems Theory (OST) in his paper (pp. 8 & 9). Keep in mind that OST is not an OD model, but rather a basis for most of the later models. For a deeper understanding, go to the following optional reading and read about systems, systems thinking, and organizations as open systems. You will see that businesses are not unlike living organisms: they depend on the environment for sustenance; they comprise multiple, mutually dependent parts; and they affect the environment in the course of their daily activities. Open Systems Theory provides valuable insights into organizations.

Optional Reading:

Systems Thinking and Learning Organizations (n.d.). National Defense University. Retrieved from http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/ndu/strat-ldr-dm/pt1ch4.html

Review Case Analysis since it is so important in this final course. The purpose of a Case is to show that you have thought critically about the subject matter that you are learning and to make an argument for a Claim about the specific situation in the Case Assignment. Stephen Toulmin has developed an Argument Methodology that is very useful in Making a Case. To review Case Analysis and Toulmin’s Argument Methodology, go to Making a Case.

Case Assignment

There is some disagreement in the Executive ranks as to which OD method or model should be used. Some executives have familiarity with a couple of models, but it seems to be only based on what they have read or heard about. You need to explore some models and determine their strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately recommend which one is best for Whole Foods Market. As part of making that determination, you will also need to identify several critical issues facing Whole Foods Market.

The executives want you to include the 7S model, the Congruence Model, and the Burke-Litwin Model in your analysis. Pick three or four more models to include for a well-rounded group of OD models.

Prepare a report in which you include the following:

1. A brief overview of what each of the six or seven models you are analyzing does.
2. Clearly identify the strengths and weaknesses of each model.
3. Identify and discuss two or three issues that Whole Foods Market is facing.
4. Determine which model you think is the best one to use.
5. Recommend which model to use. Make a Strong Case. Explain why your selection would be the best choice, and how the recommended model can be used to help diagnose the issues you have identified.

This should be a 5- to 7-page paper (not including Title Page and References).

Assignment Expectations

Your paper will be evaluated on the following seven points:

• Precision – Does the paper address the question(s) or task(s)?
• Breadth – Is the full breadth of the subject, that is, the Keys to the Assignment, addressed?
• Depth – Does the paper address the topic in sufficient depth and include the background reading and other background resources as references?
• Critical thinking – Is the subject thought about critically, that is, accurately, logically, relevantly, and precisely?
• Clarity – Is the writing clear and are the concepts articulated properly? Are paraphrasing and synthesis of concepts the primary means of responding to the questions or are points conveyed through excessive use of quotations?
• Organization – Is the paper well written? Are the grammar, spelling, and vocabulary appropriate for graduate-level work? Are headings included in all papers longer than two pages?
• Referencing (citations and references) – Does the paper include citations and quotation marks where appropriate? Are the references from the background reading and assignment present and properly cited? Are all the references listed in the bibliography present and referred to via citation?

TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS

• You may use a simple diagram to highlight important factors. However, do not use the diagram in lieu of valuable analysis (or to take up valuable writing space) – it should be in addition to your 5-7 pages of analysis.
• Just because you have written the minimum five pages does not mean that you have adequately covered the topic. Err on the side of writing more rather than less.
• Choose the data you use carefully. Is it relevant and important?
• Include a cover page and reference page, in addition to the 5-7 pages of analysis described above.
• Include headings within the paper.
• Cite and reference all sources that you use in your work, including those that you paraphrase. This means include citations and quotation marks for direct quotes of more than five words, and citations for that information which you have “borrowed” or paraphrased from other sources

Module 2 – Background

Organizational Diagnostic Models

Organizational Development (OD) is a fundamental management subject and important for an MBA degree program. One aspect of Organizational Development is Organizational Diagnosis, which is not as comprehensive as the overall development or change process. Diagnosis is often the first step in the OD process. Over the years, there have been many OD models developed. Some are better than others and some are more useful in certain situations than others. Later models were developed with Open System Theory in mind, which tends to make the models more comprehensive. ABC Company and Whole Foods Market are interested in using an OD model to diagnose Whole Foods Market’s current situation. You will need to have an understanding of some of these models in order to make a recommendation.

Required Reading

Download and read this white paper by Falletta about OD models. Salvatore Falletta, President and CEO of Leadersphere, has written a white paper that reviews several commonly used models of organizational diagnosis. You will use several of these models in conducting your integrative Case project. The relevant part of this paper in terms of this class is the first 31 pages. The last part of the paper (pp. 32-43) deals with the theoretical foundations of the Burke & Litwin model, Falletta’s Organizational Intelligence Model; this is optional reading. We are not covering Falletta’s Organizational Intelligence Model.

Falletta, S. V. (2013) Organizational diagnostic models: an integrative review & synthesis. Organizational Intelligence Institute (www.oi-institute.com).

Falletta provides an overview of Open Systems Theory (OST) in his paper (pp. 8 & 9). Keep in mind that OST is not an OD model, but rather a basis for most of the later models. For a deeper understanding, go to the following optional reading and read about systems, systems thinking, and organizations as open systems. You will see that businesses are not unlike living organisms: they depend on the environment for sustenance; they comprise multiple, mutually dependent parts; and they affect the environment in the course of their daily activities. Open Systems Theory provides valuable insights into organizations.

Optional Reading

Systems Thinking and Learning Organizations (n.d.). National Defense University. Retrieved from http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/ndu/strat-ldr-dm/pt1ch4.html

There are no reading assignments for the SLP.

However, if you need a refresher on various theories (product life cycle, pricing, price elasticity, market saturation, product development, etc.) there are a multitude of articles on the Internet.

Optional Review Materials

This small sample of Useful Internet Sites may help you throughout the course, and can serve as a complement to previous course materials. You are encouraged to supplement this list if you need additional refreshers.