1. How Well Do You Understand Discovery and Data Gathering in OD Consulting? ADLT 610 Adult Education and HRD Consultant Virginia Commonwealth University © 2008

4. Which of these is the single most important theme for an OD consultant according to Peter Block in Flawless Consulting ? Understanding the nature of client resistance Developing an authentic relationship with the client Demonstrating expertise in facilitation Stating needs and wants

5. Developing an authentic relationship with the client at all times. Note: This is even more important than understanding resistance because without authenticity you are not effective in naming the resistance you see.

6. What is the most important service that an OD consultant has to offer a client? Knowledge of organizational politics Helping clients change without remaining dependent on consultant expertise Naming the resistance the consultant sees Expertise in discovery and data gathering

7. Helping clients change without staying dependent on consultant expertise in the future. Ours is a teaching role to help the client learn how to solve similar problems in the future. S ee p. 173, Chapter 10

8. Which of the following are NOT part of the business of the data collection / discovery phase: Doing layers of analysis (peeling the onion) Dealing with resistance that resurfaces Seeing the interview as an intervention Determining the type of intervention that is necessary

9. Determining the type of intervention This step occurs after the decision to proceed has been made. It is a part of engagement and implementation.

10. Which of the following is a specific skill involved in the discovery process of consulting? Unfreezing, moving, and refreezing the system Distinguishing between the presenting problem and the underlying problem Understanding the relationship between behavior, the person, and the situation Deciding who will be involved in the project

11. Distinguishing between the presenting problem and the underlying problem

12. All but one of the following is necessary in the discovery step of OD consulting. Which is not part of the consultant’s role? Asking questions about what others are doing to cause or maintain the problem Obtaining info on both the technical problem and the way the problem is managed Noting similarities between how the client is managing the problem and how the client is managing YOU Contracting for doing the project in a way that minimizes the client’s exposure and loss of control

13. Contracting for doing the project in a way that minimizes the client’s exposure and loss of control Note: this is a contracting phase step

14. The ultimate goal of the discovery phase is to do which of the following? Handle the client’s resistance to change Develop a clear and simple picture of the problem Evaluate the success of the intervention End the relationship with the client

15. To develop a clear and simple picture of what is causing and maintaining the client’s problem.

16. Beyond the technical aspects of the discovery phase, it is most important that the consultant focus on …. The relationship with the client Maintaining a balance between presentation and participation The right questions to ask Focusing on vision and leadership

17. T he relationship with the client. See p. 178. Without trust in the consultant and the client’s commitment to change, none will ever occur.

18. The purpose of the discovery phase is …. To get to action, not to do research on the client’s problem To state clearly what you need from the client To outline the kind of information that you seek To provide an overview of the product you offer

19. To get to action, not to do research on the client’s problem See page 175, 176 in Flawless Consulting.

20. Which of these is NOT one of the steps in data collection and discovery: Summarizing the data Discussing the history of the organization Selecting the data collection method Making the decision to proceed

21. Discussing the history of the organization

22. Which of these is NOT a truism of the discovery and data gathering phase of OD consulting? Lack of time is the major reason why discovery is not successful The presenting problem is never the real problem How the problem is being managed is often more significant than the technical or business problem itself Resistance can take many “faces,” but it always occurs

23. Lack of time is the major reason why discovery is not successful Note: Not enough time is usually posed by resistant clients who are worried about issues of control and vulnerability

24. Understanding how the problem is being managed involves all but which one of these? Personality styles Norms for individual behavior Status differences Leadership styles

25. Personality styles See pages 194 and 195 in Flawless Consulting .

26. Which of these is a viable alternative to third-party data collection, analysis, and feedback? Determining the type of intervention that is necessary Management pooling their resources to solve the problem Employing a whole-system discovery process Turning the problem over to a technical expert to solve

27. Employing a whole system discovery process such as Future Search. The entire client system is then involved directly in redefining the problem, naming a desired future state, outlining alternative actions, and deciding how to proceed.

28. If you completed this version of the Millionaire Game with a team score of least 30 points, then you ... 1. Read the assigned chapters. 2. Understood them well! Congratulations!