Methods for Whole System Change in Public Organizations and Communities: An Overview of the Issues

In a world that is made up of interconnected systems, public leaders are learning that they must build commitment, alignment, and ownership among a broad group of individuals and groups in order to implement change. An increasing variety of processes and methods are being utilized for engaging an organization or community in whole system change. Large group methodologies, originally developed by organization development practitioners and theorists, are now gaining currency in public organizations and communities. At the same time, community organizers who successfully utilized confrontation and conflict-oriented methods in the civil rights, labor and other movements, are employing broadly participative, collaborative approaches by creating small group settings where citizens can share their views and using large group meetings to engage multiple stakeholders in community change. This special symposium explores and reflects on the rich mix of methods in use for whole system change in public organizations and communities.