Review by Mary Case

Here we have a supremely useful book. Holman and Devane bring between covers the major techniques and technologies currently used by organizational leaders to help people cope with and even flourish under the weight and velocity of pervasive change. The creators of these techniques—Marvin Weisbord and Sandra Janoff (Future Search), Cindy and Bill Adams (Whole Systems Approach), Alan and Donald Klein (SimuReal), Harrison Owen and Ann Stadler (Open-Space Technology), David Cooperrider (Appreciative Inquiry), among many others—have submitted their work in a standard format for easy comparison.

The format includes history, definitions, cost analysis, how to guide, roles and responsibilities, conditions for success, theoretical basis, and follow through tactics. In one book, you can understand and compare the large group change technologies and get an idea of which technique is right for your situation. In addition to chapters by the change gurus, you?ll find a very useful, pull-out chart which compares purpose, process, number and types of participants, process length, when to use, impact on cultural assumptions, and gives historical context and brief examples. The book ends with another useful bit—references for each technique.