Demystifying Organisational Development : Practical capacity-building experiences of African NGOs

Few NGO decision-makers, are sure of what Organisation Development consultancy looks like in practice; whether it does really strengthen NGOs; and on what factors its success is contingent. Demystifying Organisational Development examines the theory and practice of OD consultancy with NGOs by analysing the actual experiences of nine NGOs.

Organisation Development (OD) consultancy is being prioritised by many Northern NGOs as a key strategy for building the capacity for NGOs in the South. Few NGO decision-makers, however, are sure of what OD consultancy looks like in practice; whether it does really strengthen NGOs; and on what factors its success is contingent. Demystifying Organisational Development is based on research undertaken in Africa in 1997. It examines the theory and practice of OD consultancy with NGOs by analysing the actual experiences of nine NGOs. Issues covered in the book include the nature of such Organisational Development consultancy; Organisational Development tools and processes; the roles, styles and characteristics of good consultants; Organisational Development and cross-cultural issues; impact and evaluation of Organisational Development consultancy; key success factors in Organisational Development interventions; effective Northern NGO support for Organisational Development and its implications.