How it works
Two forms of the OCI 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 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 OCI by identifying the optimal or preferred culture for the organisation. It assesses the behaviours that leaders and other members believe should be expected to maximise 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 surveys are aggregated and electronically analysed to generate a report (or reports) to support your organisation’s culture change initiatives. An accredited practitioner guides organisational leaders and change team members through the findings and the steps required for successful development and transformation.
The OCI 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 OCI in tandem with the Organisational Effectiveness Inventory®, which provides unique insights into the outcomes of the current 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 culture surveys to promote changes at the leadership and team levels which, in turn, complement and reinforce development at the organisational level.
The benefits for your organisation
Apply the OCI in your organisation and you’ll 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. You’ll also empower them 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. The OCI provides leaders and members with the data they need and a language for conversations about where they are now, where they want to be, and how they’re going to get there.
The OCI is invaluable for:
- Signaling and/or validating the need for cultural transformation
- Supporting programmes to enhance strategy implementation, employee engagement and inclusion, quality and reliability, and/or customer service
- gauging and improving organisational readiness for culture change
- addressing barriers to (and enablers of) agility, adaptability, and innovation
- facilitating mergers, acquisitions, and strategic alliances
- evaluating the impact of change efforts — using the culture survey again and again to measure progress and identify what’s working and what’s not
Make the OCI part of your drive for change
The OCI is used and facilitated exclusively by people who have been prepared and accredited in its administration and interpretation. We offer two options:
- One of our network of accredited and experienced consultants can help you to use the OCI and implement the cultural changes you seek. Simply contact us to get connected with a consultant who’s right for the 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 OCI and identify appropriate levers to achieve long-term culture change. To get started, contact us to register for the accreditation workshop.
If you would like to know more about the Organisational Culture Inventory, or any of our wide range of assessments, please get in touch and we will be happy to assist you.
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