Facing into Change: The Organisation Development & Design Expert Service

This report is the first in the Facing into Change series. It is a case study report illustrating OD in practice, through the work of the Organisation Development & Design Expert Service. The OD&D Service is one of four Civil Service HR expert services and offers support to departments and cross-Government functions in delivering complex change.

To help illustrate the important role they have started to forge in supporting the Civil Service Reform Plan and large scale change, three of the Service’s clients agreed to share their own stories. Rail Group, the Treasury Solicitor’s Department and the Civil Service Pension Schemes Executive in the Cabinet Office, explain the reasons they feel OD support is vital during major change, share their experience of working with the OD&D Service, and describe the impact it has had for them.

The case studies highlight the importance of dealing with the human dimension of change, the dynamics of relationships, and the challenge of designing efficient organisations where people can be at their best.