CPHR Organizational Development and Change Management 3

Question 1

In the context of OD, what does 'action research' involve?

Accepted Answer

A cyclical process of data collection, diagnosis, action planning, implementation, and evaluation

Answer

Reviewing academic literature to identify best practices

Answer

Conducting focus groups to generate new product ideas

Answer

Benchmarking performance against competitor organizations

Question 2

Which stage of organizational change is characterized by confusion, anxiety, and declining performance before improvement occurs?

Accepted Answer

The valley of despair

Answer

The plateau phase

Answer

The integration stage

Answer

The commitment phase

Question 3

What is the primary purpose of a 'stakeholder analysis' in change management?

Accepted Answer

To identify all parties affected by the change and assess their level of influence and support

Answer

To determine the financial return on investment for the change

Answer

To evaluate competitors' responses to similar changes

Answer

To assign accountability for each change management task

Question 4

In organizational development, 'parallel structures' refer to:

Accepted Answer

Temporary groups created to oversee or facilitate change alongside the formal organizational structure

Answer

Two separate HR departments operating independently

Answer

Duplicate reporting lines to prevent single points of failure

Answer

Shadow budgets used to fund change initiatives off the books

Question 5

Which of the following is a key characteristic of a 'learning organization' as defined by Peter Senge?

Accepted Answer

Continuous learning, knowledge sharing, and systems thinking embedded in the organizational culture

Answer

Strictly hierarchical decision-making to ensure consistency

Answer

A focus on individual performance over team collaboration

Answer

Reliance on external consultants for all strategic decisions

Question 6

When is it most appropriate for an HR professional to recommend a 'large-group intervention' such as a Future Search Conference?

Accepted Answer

When building shared vision and commitment to change across a diverse, large organizational system

Answer

When addressing a single team's interpersonal conflict

Answer

When conducting individual performance improvement plans

Answer

When implementing a new payroll software system

Question 7

Which measurement approach is most appropriate for evaluating the effectiveness of a change management initiative?

Accepted Answer

Using a balanced scorecard approach that includes employee adoption rates, performance metrics, and stakeholder satisfaction

Answer

Tracking only the financial cost of the change program

Answer

Measuring only whether the project was delivered on time

Answer

Counting the number of training sessions delivered during the transition