Which is a core competency of OD change agents according to the analytical approach?

• A. Accurate diagnostic skills
• B. Creative writing
• C. Public relations
• D. Financial auditing

Answer: (A)

In the analytical approach to organizational development, the essential skill for a change agent is accurate diagnostic skills. This means gathering data from multiple sources—surveys, interviews, observations, performance metrics—and interpreting it to uncover the real causes of problems, not just surface symptoms. The aim is to map the current state against the desired state, understand how processes, people, structure, and culture interact, and define a clear, measurable gap to address. This precision matters because interventions grounded in solid diagnostics are more likely to target the true issues, yield effective results, and enable meaningful progress tracking.

Other options don’t fit this analytical focus. Creative writing centers on generating content, which isn’t the core task of diagnosing organizational needs. Public relations concentrates on messaging and image rather than diagnosing root causes. Financial auditing relates to financial controls and accuracy, not to diagnosing organizational problems for change.