A Recurring Scenario
You’re stepping into a new organization—either as an internal OD staffer or a fresh-faced consultant. What’s the first thing on your mind? "Is this a good organization?"
You’re navigating the terrain, sensing cultural dynamics, and trying to identify what’s working and what’s wobbling. If you're new to the sector—or worse, unfamiliar with the client—it’s like deploying a generative AI model like ChatGPT without describing its context. Of course, you could misread the situation. As organizations continue to reshape, restructure, and realign with rapidly changing landscapes (laws, rules, data, prospects, etc.) in real time, organization diagnosis not only becomes urgent but must also be conducted regularly. As the need arises.
So how should we do it? Start your own Do It Yourself (DIY) high level OD Diagnostic Toolkit (an assistant)! Try featuring, evidencing, diagnosing and deploying.
1. Featuring: Identifying, Recalling, Listing
Start with the question: What does a “good” organization look like to you? It's not as difficult as you might think. Begin with a list of characteristics you believe are essential. You likely already have some notions of what constitutes good, bad, and dysfunctional organizational traits.
Develop your list based on your experiences, input from colleagues, and established OD frameworks. Think of classics such as McKinsey’s 7S, Kotter’s change model, Taylor’s principles, or Drucker’s insights. However, be mindful: these models may not fully align with the realities of today’s organizations—shaped by digital disruption, AI integration, and an evolving workforce with increasingly higher expectations.
Your list may include for example: leadership and managerial styles, inter and external communications, work culture, plans, people policies, deployment of AI, etc. A list of up to 15 features may be a good starting point. Finally, reorder the list of features logically and list them in a spreadsheet’s first column.
2. Evidencing: Observing, Conversing, and Noting
Now it’s time for a deeper dive.
Assign the second and third columns of your diagnostic spreadsheet to represent the “ideal” and “actual” conditions for each feature. For example, under the feature Leadership Style, your ideal might be empathetic, strategic, adaptive, and engaging. After conducting structured observations, discussions, and interviews, you may find that the actual style is more accurately described as micromanaging, lacking clear vision, and demonstrating inadequate communication.
3. Diagnosing: Scaling, Measuring, and Acting
In the fourth column, assess and document the gaps between the ideal and actual conditions. Apply a simple measurement scale—for example, 5 to 1—where 5 indicates alignment with the ideal, and 1 reflects significant need for improvement.
In the fifth column, identify the OD interventions (actions, events or changes) for features scoring 2 or below. These low-scoring areas signal urgent attention and targeted interventions.
4. Deploying AI: Testing, Sharing, and Evolving
Conducting a diagnostic can be time-consuming, so why not leverage AI to streamline the process? With today’s advanced AI tools, the OD diagnostic toolkit doesn’t have to live in a spreadsheet forever.
Using platforms like ChatGPT or custom large language models (LLMs) equipped with ethical and privacy safeguards, you can develop an AI-driven OD assistant (or a Custom GPT) that can:
· Guide you through a diagnostic interviews and assessments
· Analyze trends and patterns in organizational data
· Suggest relevant actions and interventions
· Provide coaching and advisory support to the OD diagnostic teams
· Dynamically support other OD processes, providing real-time insights and recommendations
Eventually, this AI Diagnostic Assistant can be deployed as a fully functional AI App (with the organization’s frequently used prompts, knowledge base, connected tools and reporting formats) for use across the organization for effective and consistent applications. This will be a companion tool that mirrors the functionality of the AI assistant but focuses on enhanced accessibility and privacy. While the functionality remains largely the same, this app would could be deployed on Smartwatches, Desktop servers and Augmented reality glasses providing on-the-go guidance, offering discreet, and a 24-hour coach during OD initiatives.
Taking the First Step…
Unlike traditional OD theories, what we learn in practice is never static—it’s a foundation. The real value lies in adapting and evolving these tools for today’s dynamic organizational landscape.
Note that the best OD professionals aren’t just diagnosticians—they are tool builders, systems thinkers, and cultural architects.
So go ahead: build your toolkit. Test it. Share it. Evolve it. Because a “good” organization isn’t a fixed state—it’s a living, breathing and aspiring entity.
Hilary Gridley, shares how she uses dozens of custom GPTs for her team that think and give feedback like her, allowing her to scale herself up and create time for higher-value work. What you’ll learn: 1. A step-by-step process for creating GPTs that “think like you” by reverse engineering your own decision criteria 2. How to turn your management expertise into clear evaluation rubrics that AI can consistently apply 3. Practical techniques for improving team writing and presentations with AI-powered feedback 4. Why GPTs are the perfect tool for scaling good management practices without requiring prompt engineering skills 5. How to use AI to get invited to more strategic meetings by improving your written point of view
NOTE:
1. Basic ODPN Courses
1.1. OD Conversations: In-person from 8am-5pm in the Meralco Power Tech, Ortigas on the dates mentioned: (a) Diagnosing Organizations, Dr Joy Teng-Calleja, PhD, RPsy, June 17 (b) Designing Effective OD Interventions, Dr Melissa Reyes, PhD, August 20 and (c) Process Observation and Analysis, Dr Josephine Perez, PhD, RPsy, September 18.
2. RESERVE A SEAT NOW! The ODPN’s ODLab25: Force for GoOD will be held late July 31 to Aug 1 in Martian Hotel, Zamboanga City. Get the Brochure and Register here or message or call ODPN Secretariate 0925.553.2342.
3. Forthcoming Ed Canela’s AI Seminar Series
3.1. AI for Teachers and Educators on June 5, 6, and 7, 2025 (8:00 to 12:00 NN Zoom), Leadership in the Digital Era, June 9 (8:00 to 12:00 NN Zoom) and Basic OD July 5 (8:00 to 12:00 NN Zoom), SAIDI Graduate School of Organizational Development and Planning. Contact: Ms Cynthia Cruz AT (cecruz@saidi.edu.ph).
3.2. Aid4Business (for MSMEs) Institute for Small Scale Industries University of the Philippines (UP ISSI) 14 to 16, October 2025. Register here.