How do you design an action research cycle for organizational interventions?

1 What is an organizational development intervention?

An organizational development (OD) intervention is a specific action or set of actions that is designed to address a problem or opportunity in an organization. It can be initiated by internal or external agents, such as managers, consultants, or researchers. The purpose of an organizational development intervention is to enhance the performance, culture, or structure of the organization, or to facilitate its adaptation to changing environments. Examples of OD interventions include team building, leadership development, strategic planning, process improvement, and organizational learning.

2 Why use action research for organizational development intervention?

Action research is a suitable method for organizational intervention because it aligns with the values and principles of organizational development, such as participation, empowerment, democracy, and learning. It allows for the integration of theory and practice, as well as the generation of context-specific and actionable knowledge. By involving the stakeholders in the research process, action research can foster ownership, commitment, and change readiness among the participants. Moreover, action research can create a feedback loop that enables continuous improvement and evaluation of the intervention outcomes.

4 How to act on the action plan?

Implement the action plan and to monitor the progress and results of the intervention. This involves coordinating and communicating with the stakeholders, managing the resources and risks, and documenting the actions and outcomes. The action phase also requires flexibility and adaptability, as the intervention may encounter unexpected challenges or opportunities that require adjustments or revisions. Your action plan should guide the action phase, but also open to emergent learning and innovation.

5 How to observe and collect data?

Select and apply the appropriate data collection methods and tools, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, or documents. You should align your data collection methods with the research questions and objectives, as well as the ethical and practical considerations of the research context.

6 How to reflect and evaluate?

Reflection phrase involves analyzing and interpreting the data, using the relevant analytical techniques and frameworks, such as descriptive statistics, thematic analysis, or SWOT analysis. The analysis and interpretation should answer the research questions and objectives, and provide recommendations for improvement.

The reflection and evaluation phase also involves sharing and discussing the findings and implications with the stakeholders, and soliciting their feedback and suggestions. Make sure you identify the problems or opportunities, and use what you learned to initiate of a new action research cycle.