The action research model focuses on planned organizational change as a cyclical process with several main steps:
1) Entry and problem identification where a client senses problems that could be addressed with an OD practitioner.
2) Contracting where the practitioner and client assess each other and their expectations and resources for change.
3) Diagnosis where the practitioner gathers data to determine the underlying causes of problems.
4) Feedback of diagnostic findings to the client to identify organizational strengths and weaknesses.
5) Joint planning of actions for change based on the diagnosis and resources. Evaluation of results then feeds back into the process to guide further action.