An overview of OST and its Services and Programs - practitoner development
The OST development program and associated benefits
The OST development program is a systematic and comprehensive approach towards accrediting Practitioners and Specialists. The accreditation program is aimed at passing on the knowledge of OST in a combination of theory and learning-on-the-job activities while maintaining the integrity of practice in the field.
There are four levels of accreditation catering to the different needs and goals of trainees, starting with basic knowledge of OST to a very sophisticated level of systems design. The four levels are:
Graduates need to complete the one-week introduction to OST course known as ‘The theory and practice of making adaptive change’.
During this course participants learn how to design Search Conferences and Participative Design Workshops and also get to practice key aspects of each process. They also learn about OST unique designs for planning, implementing and evaluating unique whole system interventions.
Everyone who has completed the introduction to the OST course has to complete at least one SC and one PDW as part of the OST apprentice program. Both workshops will be conducted under the guidance of an OST Practitioner.
However, there is no apprenticeship requirement for the SFP&D development program. Participants who complete the one-week OST course will hold the necessary skill and knowledge to train others to run this program.
To become an OST Practitioner graduates need to complete the advanced theory and practice of OST course. As part of this course a Practitioner must be able to design and undertake an Action Research project involving a SC, PDW or a Unique Design.
Results of the project are to be presented at an OST learning exchange program for the benefit of the OST community.
OST practitioners have the opportunity to further develop their OST skills by becoming an OST Specialist. This career path option involves completing an advanced OST statistical analysis course that is supervised by Dr Merrelyn Emery. Once accredited, OST Specialists can be contracted to produce targeted OST research reports, which can then be used by particular clients or for media releases to promote OST.
For Australian Specialists wishing to have their OST training recognised within the Australian Qualifications Framework, there will be written theory exams and either oral or written case presentation to document practice. An Individual’s demonstrated OST competencies would then be mapped to the Australian National Competency Standards using the Recognition of Prior Learning approach.
Those outside Australia wanting formal recognition of their OST training will need to CONTACT US as there are a number of pathways to choose from to meet this requirement.
OST development program benefits
There are many benefits afforded by being an OST Practitioner. They include:
- Generating additional income by providing new value added OST services for clients that lead to solutions for a sustainable future
- Having the ability to design unique learning and change processes for individuals, groups and larger social systems (e.g. Being able to design a one-day planning event involving 130 invited community players to produce action plans that will better engage marginalised youth in work and education.)
- An understanding of organisation development and the dynamics of human systems (e.g. understanding why current HR practices are increasing employee turnover and absenteeism.)
- Holding the competencies for planning, implementing and evaluating whole system interventions (e.g. knowing how to involve a workforce of more than 20,000 employees in the development of new terms & conditions of employment that will improve customer service and provide a better deal for employees.)
- Playing an active role in OST research by either administering surveys or if you’re qualified, by undertaking survey analysis and producing client reports
- Gaining access to OST research to inform client strategies for sustainable competitive adavantage and to build healthy, innovative and resilient organisations and communities (Current research projects can be found in the RESEARCH page below this one)
- Working with Dr Merrelyn Emery to develop a tailored marketing research program for particular clients. OST-based market research involves Causal Path Analysis of customer survey data, which incorporates behavioural preferences data, to yield unique marketing intervention solutions.
- Partaking in regular face-to-face learning exchange events where participants share OST experiences and learning outcomes. These events are designed to create a highly supportive environment and help participants successfully implement their business transformation action plans.
- Having the opportunity to raise OST related questions on-line via an OST blog. This is where the OST world-wide community can share experiences of putting OST into practice and help address particular issues a Consultancy Partner may be facing.
Other benefits include a leads generation program, marketing support, incentive programs, and access to OST Support Partners who provides services such as supply chain and carbon footprint modelling.
Finally, companies are facing the most hostile economic conditions witnessed in many decades. Many organisations will have to make radical systemic changes to prosper in the challenging months and years ahead. OST products and services will help produce sustainable solutions to these challenges.
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