The Encyclopedia of Development Methods

Citation

Huezynski, A. (2002), "The Encyclopedia of Development Methods", Leadership & Organization Development Journal, Vol. 23 No. 3, pp. 169-170. https://doi.org/10.1108/lodj.2002.23.3.169.4

The Encyclopedia of Development Methods is an integrated version of the author’s earlier volumes, Encyclopedia of Management Development Methods and Encyclopedia of Organizational Change Methods. The core of the book is a directory of more than 700 methods that can be used in the organizational arena to facilitate change, to build teams, to develop personal qualities and to tackle problems. Each entry, arranged alphabetically, comprises an explanation, a bibliography and a set of cross‐references to related entries.

Of the entries, many are clearly recognised methods or techniques (such as action learning, ACHIEVE model, coaching, cognitive behavioural therapy, job enrichment, leaderless group discussion etc.). Others are not models so much as strategies, such as lateral thinking, one‐to‐one learning, positive feedback and even teleworking. This somewhat over‐inclusion could be viewed positively in that little is missed in this reference book, making it the book to keep on the bookshelf.

I am, however, slightly puzzled as to who would benefit most from the £95 investment. Certainly management students and trainers would find it a worthwhile addition to their core texts, but its real use seems to be in looking up a model that you have come across to find out what it is and where it originates, rather than using the book as a source of new training techniques – I did not feel that there was enough detail within each entry to use the material in order to develop new techniques for your repertoire.