Data Collection Process
The quality of the information gathered, therefore, is a critical part of the OD process. Data collection involves gathering information on specific organizational features, such as the inputs, design components, and outputs as discussed earlier. The process begins by establishing an effective relationship between the OD practitioner and those from whom data will be collected and then choosing data-collection techniques. The process of collecting data is an important and significant step in an OD program.
After thepractitioner has intervened and has begun developing a relationship, the next step is acquiring data andinformation about the client system. The practitioner is, ineffect, gathering data and deciding which data are relevant whenever he or she meets with the client,observes, or asks questions. Developing an innovative culture andfinding new ways to meet customer needs are strongly influenced by the way information is gathered andprocessed. Organization development is a data-based change activity.
The data collected are used by themembers who provide the data, and often lead to insights into ways of improving effectiveness. The data-collection process itself involves an investigation, a body of data, and some form of processinginformation. For our purposes, the word data, which is derived from the Latin verb dare, meaning “togive, is most appropriately applied to unstructured, unformed facts. An OD program based upon a systematic and explicit investigation of the client system has a much higher probability of success because a careful data collect on phase initiates the organization's problem solving process and provides a foundation for the following stages.
This section discusses the steps involved in the data-collection process. Unless the purpose of data collection is clearly defined, it becomes difficult to select methods and standards. The OD practitioner must first obtain enough information to allow a preliminary diagnosis and then decide what further information is required to verify the problem conditions. Usually, some preliminary data gathering is needed simply to clarify the problem conditions before further large-scale data collection is undertaken.
Most practitioners emphasize the importance of collecting data as a significant step in the OD process. First, data gathering provides the basis for the organization to begin looking at its own processes, focusing upon how it does things and how this affects performance. Second, data collection often begins a process of self-examination or assessment by members and work teams in the organization, leading to improved problem solving capabilities. This internal data can be compared with competitor's data and industry averages.
The practitioner may find, however, that it is necessary to increase the range of depth of data beyond what is readily available. There are many different types of data and many different methods of tapping data sources. There is no one best way to gather data – the selection of a method depends on the nature of the problem. Whatever method is adopted data should be acquired in a systematic manner thus allowing quantitative or qualitative comparison between elements of the system.
The task in this step is to identify certain characteristics that may be measured to help in the achievement of the OD program objective and then to select an appropriate method to gather the required data. Some major data collecting methods follow. Because of the biases inherent in any data-collection method, we recommend that more than one method be used when collecting diagnostic data. If data from the different methods are compared and found to be consistent, it is likely that the variables are being measured validly.
If the two kinds of data support one another, job discretion is probably being accurately assessed. If the two kinds of data conflict, then the validity of the measures should be examined further– perhaps by using a third method, such as interviews.
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