Nelson targets his book at managers and consultants who must diagnose organizational problems, but who lack the time and resources to assimilate and apply the large and increasingly esoteric literature on the subject. Recent diagnostic advances and how they can be applied in concrete situations are explained in detail. Analysis of organizational cultures, social network analysis, and cause mapping are three specific techniques explained and demonstrated.

The causes and types of organizational dysfunctions - common but infrequently discussed maladies that afflict most organizations - are also discussed in depth. Several methods of detecting dysfunctions before they spiral out of control are suggested and demonstrated using actual cases. Simple and cost effective techniques which yield useful information and insights are emphasized.

Special emphasis is given to the needs of smaller organizations to whom many traditional approaches to organizational diagnosis do not apply.