Organisational development (OD) used to belong to the world of I/O psychology. However in the last few years many HR and Learning & Development professionals have moved into OD roles. Here at Elephant we talked to many OD people and found that there was a lack of qualifications, training and support in this field. Following our first OD (re) Design Conference in 2018, we are pleased to have developed two levels of the Certificate in Organisational Development.
Programme Overview
Our Certificate in Strategic OD (Organisational Development) is a 10 month programme for anyone in a role with OD responsibilities, who wants to build both operational and strategic OD skills and grow your knowledge of OD models, tools and techniques.
Over the course you can attend workshops, watch videos, read articles and complete online learning modules and assignments and get coaching and feedback from our team.
The programme also involves assessing your achievement level from the start to the finish.
Who should attend?
You’ll benefit most from the Certificate if you have OD responsibilities in your role. This may mean you are currently in an HR, OD or Learning & Development type role.
What will you finish with?
The Certificate in OD is different from tertiary study as we cover real life, rather than just covering theory. It’s full of practical suggestions and ideas to use. You’ll work through each module, with real case studies and assessments to test you are applying what we’ve covered. Once you’ve completed your final assessment you will be awarded your certificate.
Elephant Certificates are now recognised globally, in New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific Islands, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, the US and United Kingdom.
You can register and start with the next intake.
Core Modules
These modules must be completed. If you have advanced training or experience in one of these areas, then you can apply to have this module exchanged for an optional module.
Approaches to OD
Understanding the different OD models, how to lead a function and a self assessment and 360 of your skills and experience.
Learning Strategy
Different ways you can conduct a Training Needs Analysis, as well as building frameworks for developing a strategy and how to present it to your senior leaders.
Leading Change
This module takes you through using specific change tools so you are fully prepared to drive change in your business.
Performance Coaching
Whether part of leadership development, L&D programmes or as a tool for OD to use when advising and supporting heir business, understanding and using the principles and models of performance coaching can be very valuable.
Leadership Capability
A key areas many OD professionals are responsible for is building leadership capability across an organisation, and often at different leadership levels. This module covers different way to do this.
Engaging your Managers
Whether during a change project, rolling out a new initiative or launching or reinvigorating an existing programme – using innovative communications to engage your managers can make or break the success of your roll out.
Team Dynamics
Many organisations are struggling with breaking down silos and trying to create collaboration across the business. Understanding & using team dynamics is an important skill for any OD professional.
Building Company Culture
More and more OD professionals are asked to use the right tools to redefine, measure and build company culture. This module covers tools and case studies. CAN BE EXCHANGED FOR EX STRATEGY IF YOU HAVE CULTURE EXPERIENCE.
Optional Modules
One optional modules must be chosen from the choices below.
Developing an EX Strategy
Many companies are now moving to EX, using principles from CX (customer experience) to build a more engaging employment experience at all levels.
Transformational Workplaces
Over the last few years at the HR Game Changer Conference we have explored and discussed what the amazing companies are doing to transform culture and work practises.
OD Models and Tools
You’ll learn key organisational development models and tools that are essential for OD professionals to use these in capability and development, leadership or culture initiatives.
Developing and Using Competencies
OD can help their business use competencies in a variety of ways. This module covers how to design, develop and use competency models for different OD functions.
OD Psychology 101
There are a number of Industrial Organisational (IO) Psychology principles that are useful for anyone working in OD to understand. Using key methodology and practises mean you can put in place solutions that address the root cause of issues.
Wellness and Mental Health
Mental health and wellness are more important than ever before. In an OD role you may be responsible for developing and delivering wellness and mental health programmes.
Register to start
Register to start the Certificate in one of our three intakes during the year: March, June or October. Each intake starts with a virtual session so you can meet others in your intake, and discuss challenges before you start on your first module.
The Certificate is scheduled over 10 months however you can defer completion by a further 6 months due to work or other circumstances.
Please do let us know if you have any questions. Unfortunately we cannot issue refunds once you have started your study.
Course investment is NZ$1,950, AUD$1,750, UK£895 or EUR895. If you are based in a different country, let us know and we can invoice in your currency.
What recent graduates say:
Completing the certificate has helped me realise that I know a lot more than I thought, but it has given me some structure to compliment the knowledge that I have. The feedback was helpful, especially at the beginning in helping me to understand when I hadn’t given enough information in my answers and especially as I hadn’t done study for a while. Once I found my feet it was good to get confirmation that I was on track. It was also helpful to have further suggestions to expand my ideas in directions I hadn’t thought about.
I found the certificate provided good overall background to support my OD role. There were a lot of concepts and ideas that were new to me so that has been a key learning, and I have been able to utilise these in the work that I am doing. The certificate has been key to my development, giving me a good base to work from and building my confidence. Chris, Head of OD, Insurance Group.
I really enjoyed the modules where there was some methodology or tools covered, for example the Change Management, Employee Experience or Performance Coaching modules. Tools that I can use on the job are really what I was after in this certificate, and it has been great to be able to look back on the webinars and resources to make use of the learning. I think the certificate has made me think about things from different perspectives and I appreciate that. Probably my biggest learning was being able to relate the tools and theories to what I have seen in my 20-odd years in HR. In most of the modules, I have felt a “click” when reading the theory, which has helped my confidence because it makes me feel I know what I’m talking about!
Victoria, HR Business Partner, Telco
I have found significant value in the OD certificate. The tools and knowledge from every module helped me to step back from day-to-day delivery and think differently about my and my team’s work. It’s been extremely valuable having frameworks and tools to broaden my thinking. I’ve also found some of the concepts have helped me grow personally as well as professionally i.e. mindful leadership (including above and below the line thinking), SCARF, positive psychology, neuroscience, vulnerability, psychological safety. Also, my organisation has many initiatives that are driven from ‘bright ideas’ rather than based on data. This certificate has reinforced the method of using data and research to inform decisions. While I had mostly been working in this way, I wasn’t sure it was right, given this wasn’t been done widely. I’ve been able to influence the importance of this for the work of my team and have seen a shift in the way my team is operating and influencing data-based decisions and longer-term horizons, to truly make a difference for the organisation.
I’m also proud that I’ve seen significant personal and professional growth over the year. I’ve been able to incorporate the learning into my work and have seen the difference it’s made. My manager and team have enjoyed my monthly learning updates about what I’ve done. I’ve been able to share concepts and improvement ideas with my manager, which have enhanced the way I, the team and the wider HR group works.
Emma, OD role, Government Agency
Details
The Certificate is scheduled over 10 months however you can defer completion by a further 6 months due to work or other circumstances.
How do the modules work?
The Certificate is hosted on our learning platform. Once you’ve registered and your intake is to begin, you’ll be able to access the programme. Each month a new module will open up. You’ll then be able to access the video’s, articles, learning resources and your assignment. This is due back at the end of each month.
And the assignments?
The assignments consist of case studies with different questions to answer or asking you to review of your own processes. The pass mark is 70%. Our team will assess whether you have passed and have demonstrated good thinking around each answer. If not, they will come back to you with some coaching and feedback. You can then resubmit. The aim is to help you develop your skills in each area so you can deliver excellence to your business.
How long does each module take?
You have a month to complete each module and it will take you 4 – 6 hours to complete depending on if you have any experience or knowledge in the area already. Along with watching the webinar and reading any articles, you then need to work through and answer the assignment. If you do need more time, we can extend the deadlines.
What if I need more time?
While we schedule your Certificate over a 10 month period, however you can ask for an extension on assignments if you have a busy workload, or are travelling or have any other issue that means you need more time. In total you can extend your Certificate up to 6 months.
Can I fail the Certificate?
Yes if you don’t complete your assignments, then you cannot pass the Certificate! If you complete an assignment but haven’t demonstrated the knowledge to pass the topic, our team will provide you with feedback and coaching and give you a chance to review and resubmit your assignment.
What if I’m stuck?
If you do get stuck on an answer, then you can email our team and get some further suggestions or coaching to help you gain the knowledge needed to answer.
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