Organisational Culture Inventory®
Research and development by Robert A. Cooke, Ph.D. and J. Clayton Lafferty, Ph.D.
The Organisational Culture Inventory (OCI®) is the world’s most thoroughly researched and widely used organisational culture assessment. The OCI goes beyond just corporate culture, company culture, and workplace culture. The cultural dimensions it measures apply to all types of organisations—whether work or nonwork, for profit or not for profit, or public or private sector.
“We looked to Human Synergistics to help us go deeper with the conversations we were having to go beyond the first level of climate (including employee engagement and satisfaction) and really identify the norms and traditional behaviours people were performing over time.”
~Kristin Chase, Sr. Director Organisational Development, Universal Parks and Resorts
+ Product info
The product of more than 35 years of research, and now using the latest survey technology, the Organisational Culture Inventory measures the attributes of organisational culture most closely related to the behaviour and performance of members. It reveals what members collectively believe is expected of them and how those behavioural norms influence their engagement and effectiveness—ultimately providing an unmatched foundation for constructively changing organisational culture.
+ The benefits for your organisation
Administer the OCI in your organisation to provide members at all levels with an understanding of how they’re currently expected to approach their work and interact with one another—and how the existing norms either support or interfere with problem solving and task performance. This best-in-class organisational culture assessment instrument will also empower members to create a vision of the ideal culture in terms of the behaviours that would enable them and the organisation to execute strategic initiatives, achieve goals, and attain the mission.
+ How it works
Two forms of the Organisational Culture Inventory are available for culture assessment:
- The standard OCI measures the current culture of an organisation in terms of shared behavioural norms—that is, the behaviours that members believe are required to “fit in” and meet expectations. Members’ responses are combined and profiled on the Human Synergistics Circumplex to show the relative strength of Constructive, Passive/Defensive, and Aggressive/Defensive norms within the organisation.
- The OCI-Ideal complements the current form of the Organisational Culture Inventory by identifying the optimal or preferred culture for the organisation. It assesses the behaviours that leaders and other members believe should be expected to maximize effectiveness and enable the organisation to reach its goals. The result is a picture of the ideal culture based on shared values and beliefs—a benchmark against which the current culture can be compared to identify gaps and targets for change.
Members’ responses to these culture surveys are aggregated and electronically analyzed to generate a report (or reports) to support and inform your organisational culture change initiatives. A Human Synergistics consultant, accredited OD practitioner, or one of your internal HR or OD specialists (who we can train and accredit) guides organisation leaders and change team members through the findings and the steps required for successful development and transformation.
Our cultural assessment surveys are available online on almost any digital device as well as in hard copy (including self-scoring) format.
+ Complementary tools
We recommend that you apply the Organisational Culture Inventory in tandem with the Organisational Effectiveness Inventory®. The OEI, our climate survey, provides unique insights into the outcomes of the current organisational culture and the structures, systems, technologies, and skills/qualities that can be used to change that culture.
The OCI can be used after or along with the Life Styles Inventory™ and ACUMEN® Leadership WorkStyles™ 360 feedback assessments to support individual development programs. The Group Styles Inventory™ and Leadership/Impact® or Management/Impact® can be used in conjunction with the organisational culture and climate surveys to promote changes at the leadership and team levels which, in turn, complement and reinforce development at the organisational level.
Additionally, the Organisational Change Challenge and the Culture Change Situation help teams learn the steps of an effective organisational change process and develop the knowledge needed to manage and constructively redirect an organisation’s culture.
Make the OCI part of your drive for change
The Organisational Culture Inventory is administered and facilitated exclusively by internal or external consultants who have been prepared and accredited in its application and interpretation. We offer two options:
- A qualified and experienced Human Synergistics consultant can help you to use the OCI and, as an option, the OEI (our organisational climate assessment tool), to initiate and implement the cultural changes you seek. Simply contact us to get connected with a consultant who’s right for your organisation.
- The entire change process can be led internally in your organisation by arranging OCI accreditation for one or more change team members. This will ensure they have the skills to administer the Organisational Culture and Effectiveness Inventories and identify appropriate levers to achieve long-term culture change. To get started, register for an accreditation workshop.
A Human Synergistics consultant or your accredited team member(s) can also utilize your culture results to engage your leaders and members in designing and implementing a customized 90-day blueprint for success using our Culture Quick-Start Program. This program includes a thorough assessment of organisational culture and climate that goes beyond simplistic “culture index” results. It highlights multiple dimensions of culture (values and norms) as well as climate (perceptions and attitudes) to support a facilitated planning session with a leadership and/or change team.
Frequently asked questions about the Organisational Culture Inventory (OCI)
What dimensions of culture are measured by the OCI?
The OCI goes beyond simplistic culture index surveys and single scores by measuring and reporting on three general yet discrete sets of behavioural norms:
- Constructive
- Passive/Defensive
- Aggressive/Defensive
These three different types of norms are distinct and their impact on effectiveness is cumulative. Considering them separately yet concurrently provides a picture and mastery of culture that properly reflects organisational dynamics and makes true and impactful culture change feasible.
How do you conduct an organisational culture assessment?
The Organisational Culture Inventory begins with a survey that is distributed to all members, at all levels, within the organisation. The organisational culture survey tool is designed to be comprehensive, yet as easy and quick to use as possible, and can be accessed from either mobile devices or in paper form.
As noted above, OCI results are in-depth, actionable, and more dimensional than a basic culture index survey. Therefore, results are typically debriefed by an accredited change agent, followed by evidence-based conversations about next steps and action plans.
How long does the OCI (versus a culture index survey) take?
There are many “quick” culture index surveys or assessments available. The Organisational Culture Inventory and the Ideal survey may take slightly longer, each approximately 20 minutes, to complete. Cultural assessment surveys are available both online and in paper format with results displayed on the circumplex.
Is the OCI valid and reliable; does it really measure culture?
The Organisational Culture Inventory is the most widely used and thoroughly researched culture assessment available. It measures culture–in terms of “what’s expected” (norms) and “what should be expected” (values)–rather than members’ attitudes or perceptions–which are dimensions of organisation climate rather than culture. The statistical reliability and validity of the inventory have been assessed by not only our research team but dozens of independent researchers and academicians as well. See our research page for links to over a hundred books, refereed journal articles, presentations, and dissertations focusing on the inventory and its reliability and validity.
ORGANIZATIONS
Downloads
Download Product Information Sheet
Infographic: Financial Returns from Culture Change
Videos
Creating a Top 100 Workplace through Constructive Leadership and Culture
Improving Performance and Shifting Culture
Culture Couch—Panel Discussion
- Internet-based data collection
- Paper or electronic testing
- Multiple languages
- Extensive result reporting
- Implementation support available
- Accreditation required
Change Solutions
Language Availability
Our assessments and simulations are available in more than 30 languages for use across the globe.