Lesson 11: Participative Design Workshop by Fred Emery

Participative Design Workshop

The founder of Participative Design Workshop if Frederick Edmund Emery, also known as Fred. He was an Australian psychologist, a pioneer I the field of Organizational Development (OD). He particularly works in the development of theory around participative work design formation like the self-managing teams. During his time, he was widely recognized as one o f the finest socials scientist. His theory is very helpful and significant to those who aren’t used to hierarchical bureaucracy and wants more humanity and democracy.

Participative Design is a first step in creating self-managing organization. It is process for moving from a bureaucratic system to a reconstructed personal workplace; there’s no design imposed. This design is unique because responsibilities for coordination and control of work do not call for the supervisor’s attention anymore. Instead, the people who are actually working are the ones to hold the responsibilities and control.

The purpose of Participative Design Workshop is to produce a more participative and self-governing organizational system. In a long run, new behaviors develop and assumptions change. People work hand in hand instead of arguing to each other. Individuals also became responsible, motivated, and they care more about the outcomes of the business matters. Moreover, quality and productivity increases.

This design is perfect to use when an organization wants to increase productivity and innovation. It is also important that an agreement is in place. If the organization’s conditions are not yet in place, participative design workshop is not suitable.

The participants of this workshop can go for 15-200 people. These participants can be everyone who is part of the section of the structure being designed. The actual event for this kind of workshop lasts for 1-3days or session by session. Preparation goes for 2 weeks to several months depending on the need.

Reflection:
Participative Design Workshop is interesting to me honestly because I think it is something new to work with not complying with the hierarchy or bureaucratic system of an organization. Organizations usually have this set of rules or processes to be followed which hinders to the freedom of the organizational members. I think this can help in making more good working environment in an organization and it can induce mo people to work well thus can result to more productivity.

by: Kathy Chang

http://www.change-management-toolbook.com/mod/book/view.php?id=74&chapterid=116
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Emery
http://www.vaughanconsulting.com/pdw.html