ODO's function much like the department’s legal counsel, public information officer, or chief finance person, but with their sharp eye focused on the impact of day-to-day decisions on the great work place culture.

The ODO is charged with:

• Guiding their organization concerning culture improvement. Helping their organization reach the vision and model the values.
• Networking employees, managers, and executives towards organizational goals.
• Working on cross department initiatives to help the State of Michigan become a great place to work.
• Serving as the organization's conscience; e.g., points out to executives where there are a gaps between values and actions.
• Representing their department at ODO meetings sponsored by Office for Great Workplace Development.