Process Consultation: Its Role in Organization Development by Edgar H. Schein

Process Consultation: Its Role in Organization Development by Edgar H. Schein

Process Consultation, an offshoot of Behavior Science and Organization Development, is an important tool for organizational development and change. In this book, renowned consultant and organizational theorist Edgar H. Schein explains the concept of process consultation, outlining the procedures and strategies that have been found effective in helping organizations, teams and individuals maximize their potential.

Process consultation begins with the consultant defining, analyzing and evaluating the processes initiated by the client, from the perspective of the consultant's expertise. It then develops into systematic analysis and assessment of the entire organizational context and culture. From this point, the consultant is able to develop an intervention design for the client to use in attaining their desired goals, developing a plan and providing guidance and feedback to the client throughout the process.

The core elements of process consultation are communication, trust and understanding. This involves an open exchange of thoughts and feelings between the client and consultant. This communication must be constantly encouraged, reinforced, and assessed until a working relationship is established. In addition, there must also be a clear understanding of organizational goals and objectives. The consultant must then engage the client in activities that will help them achieve these goals and objectives.

In his book, Schein examines many aspects of process consultation, including:
* Finding and engaging the right process consultant.
* Establishing trust.
* Exploring and addressing issues of power, authority and control.
* Establishing a value system.
* Creating and adapting intervention designs.
* Performing different consulting roles.
* Providing feedback and evaluation.

In addition to these topics, Schein reviews case studies to illustrate the successes and challenges of process consultation. He outlines the different roles of the consultant, and explains how to choose which type of process consultant to hire.

Overall, the book provides a comprehensive overview of how process consultation can be used to improve organization development and culture. Through case studies, Schein allows the reader to understand how process consultation can be applied successfully. It is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the field of organization development and change, and a must-read for any consultant wishing to gain a better understanding of the process approach.