---
title: The Difference Between HR, OD and L&D
description: HR, OD and L&D are all concerned with people, but each has a slightly different traditional core focus. Here is how to distinguish their differences.
---

[Knowledge Centre | Human Performance Technology by DTS ](https://blog.hptbydts.com)

# [The Difference Between HR, OD and L&D](https://blog.hptbydts.com/difference-between-hr-od-ld)

 Written by [Theo Winter](https://blog.hptbydts.com/author/theo-winter) | May 17, 2021

There's occasionally some confusion about what the difference is between Human Resources (HR), Organisational Development (OD) and Learning & Development (L&D). All three are concerned with people, but each has a slightly different traditional core focus. Where the three functions exist in the same business, they may be differentiated as follows:

- The HR function had a strategic focus on policy, compensation, regulation, management and performance.
- The OD function had a strategic focus on systems and practices, talent management, structure, change and culture.
- The L&D function has a strategic focus on employee skills, knowledge and competence. 

*Note*: "Organisational Development" and "Organisation Development" are often used interchangeably. Both are widely accepted when used in the context of "OD". Also, "L&D" is often used interchangeably with "T&D" (Training and Development), which mean the same thing.

## Increasingly Blurred Functions

HR has changed considerably over the last 20 years with its move from being an 'administrative' function towards a 'strategic' function with a mandate to nurture the skills and capabilities of the workforce.

**As HR became more strategic, the overlap in roles and skillsets with OD and L&D grew.** Activities like performance management, talent management, engagement, team building and coaching are now strongly associated with HR. Here are some supporting comments from the industry"

*“The HR business partnering concept developed by Dave Ulrich, with its inherent shift to a strategic dimension, is now widely adopted in major organisations, so the boundaries between OD and HR are increasingly blurred.”*— Bath Consultancy 

*“HR is more and more doing OD-related work, like capability strategies, change planning and facilitation, management team coaching and organisation design.”*— Tiina Takala, VP of OD and Change, Nokia

*"Strategic HR is much more like OD than traditional HR."*— Terrance Seamon, OD Learning and Development Consultant

## Activities Associated with Each Function

While this list is not necessarily exhaustive, it serves the purpose of pointing out differences and cross-over between the roles of HR, OD and L&D. 

### Administrative Human Resources

- Payroll, Compensation, Benefits
- Recruitment
- Terminations
- Workplace Health & Safety
- Industrial Relations (IR), Employment Law
- Company Policies, Compliance
- Illness, Disability, Injury
- Grievances, Complaints
- Harassment, Conduct, Disciplinary Matters
- Staff Evaluation

### Strategic Human Resources

- Leadership
- Culture
- Change Management
- Talent Management
- Employee Engagement
- Performance Management
- Team Development

### Organisational Development

- Strategic Change
- Leadership
- Culture
- Change Management
- Talent Management
- Employee Engagement
- Performance Management
- Team Development
- Succession Planning
- Surveys/Diagnostics/Assessments
- 360 Degree Feedback
- Restructuring/Mergers
- Knowledge Management

### Learning and Development

- Skills Training
- Hard Skills Training (Technical Knowledge)
- Soft Skills Training (Emotional Intelligence)
- Induction
- Coaching/Mentoring
- Leadership/Management Skills Training
- Team Building/Communication Training
- Sales Training
- Customer Service Training
- Safety Training
- Computer Systems Training (E.g. PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)
- eLearning/Learning Management System (LMS)

On top of all of this, there are also now People and Culture (P&C) functions to cover a mix of these areas of expertise. So, it's reasonable to understand why there may be some confusion; however, we hope this helps our readers and provides clarification. 

If you work in one of these roles, we'd love to hear your thoughts about how they are similar, different and changing.

<https://dtssydney.scoreapp.com/>

***Note:** This blog post was originally shared in January 2013, and it was refreshed and republished in May 2021 with up to date information and context.* 

[View full post](https://blog.hptbydts.com/difference-between-hr-od-ld)

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