CHAPTER NINE
Front-End Work
Effectively Engaging with the Client System
When a consultant initially enters into and engages a client system for the purpose of facilitating change, there are a number of early outcomes that must go well. The activities in the front-end phase serve as the platform for all subsequent organization development (OD) work. The quality and clarity of the foundation (agreements, expectations, relationships, and feelings) that are established at the outset can strengthen subsequent work phases. Often, challenges encountered later in change work can be traced to missed or flawed outcomes during this front-end phase. Much is at stake in the beginning of any change effort. It is common to ...
