Both internal and external practitioners engage in gathering data, analyzing it, and providing feedback to stakeholders. Stakeholder engagement is another key similarity between internal and external OD practitioners. Both must work closely with various organizational members to collect data and ensure buy-in for the changes to be implemented. Additionally, both internal and external practitioners recognize the importance of feedback, ensuring that it is communicated in a constructive and actionable manner. Proper feedback helps facilitate the development of action plans and interventions to address the organization’s needs (Pennsylvania State University, n.d.).
Despite these similarities, internal and external OD practitioners have multiple differences. Internal practitioners often have a deeper understanding of the organization’s internal culture, politics, and processes, which allows them to navigate the environment more easily and tailor their approach accordingly. External practitioners, on the other hand, require more time to acclimate to the organization, yet they bring an advantage in terms of objectivity. Their distance from the organization’s day-to-day operations allows them to provide unbiased feedback and identify issues that internal practitioners might overlook due to familiarity (Pennsylvania State University, n.d.).
Contractual or employment relationships are also different. External OD practitioners usually work on a contractual basis, with defined project scopes and timelines. This arrangement often leads to a more focused approach, as external practitioners must deliver results within a specific timeframe. In contrast, internal OD practitioners have an ongoing relationship with the organization, offering more continuity and flexibility in their OD initiatives (Pennsylvania State University, n.d.).
Pennsylvania State University. (n.d.). Internal Versus External OD Practitioners in the Context of Organizational Diagnosis. Retrieved from https://psu.instructure.com/courses/2311623/modules/items/40113574
