Intro to Organisation Development: Theory & Practice

Course Overview

Build practical skills to create adaptable, high-performing organisations that can respond effectively to an ever-changing and interconnected global economy.  

The Intro to Organisation Development micro-credential course will help you understand Organisation Development (OD) and its significance in creating adaptable, high-performing organisations.  

The course starts by examining key concepts, the purpose, and the value of Organisation Development in helping organisations respond effectively to an ever-changing and interconnected global economy. 

Core themes of Organisation Development are explored such as interconnected systems (systems thinking) and how to balance people, processes, and technology (socio-technical systems).  

In this micro-credential, you will gain a better understanding of how to enable capacity development for individuals, teams, and societies. 

The course explains Organisation Development models of planned change and techniques for practical implementation. Gain insights into frameworks that guide change efforts and understand sources and forms of resistance to change, and how to overcome them. 

Finally, the course will provide you with skills to examine how Organisation Development integrates with Human Resource (HR) strategies. You’ll understand the strategic importance of OD within the broader HR context, and how OD expertise—whether internal or external—can support senior leaders, HR professionals, and managers in fostering resilient and thriving organisations. 

Time commitment per week

An average of 10 – 13 hours weekly.

Is this course for you?

This course provides a comprehensive foundation in Organisation Development (OD) theory and practice. By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped with practical knowledge to navigate and contribute to the dynamic field of OD. 

What is organisation development?   

Organisation Development (OD) is a systematic, evidence-based approach aimed at enhancing an organisation’s effectiveness, adaptability, and performance. It involves planned interventions that align with the organisation’s goals and values to improve structures, processes, and human resources. Rooted in behavioural science, OD focuses on fostering innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving to drive positive change, optimise team performance, and enhance employee satisfaction. By integrating data-driven analysis with strategic action, OD supports sustainable growth and resilience in a constantly evolving environment. 

Dates

• Class of 2025 May: 12 May – 22 June 
• Class of 2025 July: 7 July – 17 August
• Class of 2025 August: 11 August –21 September 
• Class of 2025 October: 6 October – 16 November

There are no online classes. Course content is released on a weekly basis allowing you to work through the course material, and meet weekly targets, at a time that is most convenient to you.

Certification

Upon completion, you will receive a digital certificate of competence and badge. Your certificate and badge can be shared on 100+ social media platforms, allowing you to share your achievement with a single click.

Credential Type

The OpenLearning team has reviewed this course to ensure quality academic learning within the Malaysian and Australian credentialing framework.

An OpenLearning OpenCred is a type of credential that can stand-alone, or interact with a formal qualification. OpenCred courses are market-leading online courses that prepare learners for the future of work.

This course has been designed and developed by experts in the field of psychology. The Intro to Organisation Development micro-credential is for anyone needing to upskill in this area and offers 40 hours of learning and assessment.

Learners study online with peers and receive robust academic content while acquiring practical industry-relevant skills.

OpenCreds

Completing this course leads to obtaining an OpenCred.

• 40 hours of learning
• OpenCred classification: Pathway

Stackable Credentials

Stack specified combinations of micro-credentials and they can be recognised as equivalent to a module within the Bachelor of Applied Social Science Degree at SACAP.

Intro to Organisation Development: Theory & Practice can be stacked with Organisational Development: Processes & Tools for Effectiveness and if you meet the minimum entrance criteria, you can enrol for the Bachelor of Applied Social Science Degree and apply for module exemption.

What You’ll Need

• Access to Microsoft Word
• Google Chrome (recommended)
• Stable internet connection

What You’ll Learn

Over the course of six (6) weeks, through videos, readings and discussions, you will explore the following topics:

• Week 1: Foundational concepts of Organisation Development
  • Gain an understanding and scope of Organisational Development (OD) and how to distinguish it from organisation design. Understand how OD aligns with broader organisational goals and practices. 
• Week 2: Core themes in Organisation Development
  • Gain insights into the guiding principles, key characteristics, and central features of Organisational Development (OD). Explore the OD process and how OD practitioners approach organisational transformation. 
• Week 3: Foundational theories and models that underpin Organisation Development practice. 
  • Explore open systems theory – how organisations function as dynamic, interdependent systems. Examine complex adaptive systems, understanding their properties and how they shape Organisational Development (OD) practices. 
• Week 4: Integrating Organisation Development into HR strategy
  • Explore how Organisational Development (OD) and HR strategies complement each other to drive organisational success. Understand how OD principles can be effectively integrated into HR practices and learn how to align OD initiatives with HR goals, enabling the creation of cohesive and impactful strategies that promote organisational growth and innovation.
• Week 5: Consolidation
  • An opportunity for you to revisit any content covered in the four weeks of the course in a self-determined manner that is appropriate to deepen and enhance your learning. 
• Week 6: Summative Assessment 
  • Undertake a summative assessment that captures all the key learning outcomes for this course. 

Course Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Define the concept of Organisational Development and its development as a field of study and practice. 
• Explain the nature of Organisational Development, describing its basic core principles and core assumptions.  
• Explain the application of key Organisational Development models to address organisations as open systems. 
• Discuss the integration of Organisational Development into HR strategy.

The Team

Our short course developers and assessors are expert practitioners. They have been selected for the breadth and depth of experience in their respective disciplines. The team loves sharing their knowledge and online learning expertise to help you get the most out of your learning journey.