The purpose of organizational diagnosis is to establish the widely shared understanding of the client’s system and, based on that understanding, to determine whether change needs to be undertaken. This concept is similar to the medical model. As a physician conducts tests, collects vital information on the human system, and then evaluates this information to prescribe a course of treatment.

The organizational diagnostician views the organization as a total system – an interplay of structure,processes, people, relationships, leadership and rewards. Similar to what a physician would do, the organization diagnostician collects data which is then fed back to organizational members to begin the process of organization change.