Open Space Technology

From Common Energy UVic

Open Space Technology is a method used in the common ground process, especially at conferences. Open Space Technology is integral to our philosophy and an important part of how we work.

1 What Is Open Space Technology?
2 When should we use Open Space?
3 How does an Open Space Operate?
4 Expected outcomes of an Open Space
5 More Resources
- 5.1 References

[edit] What Is Open Space Technology?

The simplest answer is that it is a facilitation technique. There are however, many ways of expressing its process.

Open Space Technology (OST) is a method of convening conversation. Within the Common Ground process OST guides our participant driven conferences. It is a methodological tool that enables self-organizing groups of all sizes and kind to deal with complex topics in a manner that creates and implements inspired outcomes. Participants create and manage their own agenda of parallel working sessions around a central theme of strategic importance. OST allows talk-as-action to create solutions that emerge as successful on the ground actions.

OST has been practised for over 20 years, convening conversation with groups as small as five and as large as a 1000. Currently OST and associated techniques are being utilized in:

Columbus, Ohio, USA to co-create sustainable and affordable Health Care for all in Columbus
Somerset, County Council, England to engage the many stakeholders in land use planning for the best use of prime land in the center of Minehead
Vancouver Island, BC, Canada by the Vancouver Island Aboriginal Transition Team who are implementing a community owned governance of the Aboriginal child and family services system.

[edit] When should we use Open Space?

Often this process is used when;
the work is complex,
the people and ideas involved are diverse,
there is passion for resolution,
and the time for solutions has passed.

Most importantly, Open Space should be used when passion is bounded by responsibility.

[edit] How does an Open Space Operate?

This facilitation technique is legendary for its apparent lack of structure, however, an Open Space meeting or conference are actually quite structured. If hosted correctly participants should hardly notice the structure. That being said here is a skeleton structure of an Open Space secession.

Hosting an Open Space Circle^[1]

To convene a Open Space conversation an invitation is sent. The invitation often raises urgent and complex issues. The key to a great invitation is that it uses clear language and it is straight forward. The best invitation are not about the problem but are about co-creating something people want to be a part of. The invitation should focus attention on current strength/assets. Those invited should be people who really care to work together, to address the real needs and desires.

We convene together in a circle. Regardless of the size, the circle allows all the participants to hear and see each other. Within this circle participants are welcomed and reminded of the invitation and the focusing question. Outside of the circle on a large wall is the Marketplace.

Marketplace as Agenda^[2]

The marketplace is a big, empty wall that represents the agenda. The facilitator invites people with issues of concern to come into the circle, write the issue on a piece of paper and announce it to the group. These people now become the "conveners." The convener places their paper on the marketplace and chooses a time and a place to meet. This process continues until the group has no more agenda items to call. The circle then self-organizes and heads to the agenda wall, which is now covered with a variety of sessions. Participants take note of the time and place for sessions they want to be involved in. Dialogue sessions convene for the balance of the time. Each session has a recorder, who is determined by each group to capture the important points and post the reports on the news wall. All of these reports will be complied into one document by the end of the conference/meeting. Following a closing or a break, the group might move into convergence, a process that takes the issues that have been discussed and attaches action plans to them to "get them out of the room." The collaborators then finishes the conference/meeting with a closing circle where people are invited to share comments, insights, and commitments arising from the process.

The space is governed by four principles and one law.

Principles and Law of an Open Space

[edit] Expected outcomes of an Open Space

Day 1: The space will generate a lot of great discussion
Day 2: The space will be capturing the essence of what has happened
Day 3: The space will allow for more formal convergence to move the group to a specific plan into immediate action

[edit] More Resources

Most of the information about Open Space Technology for the creation of this page came from the following websites, which have the collective experiences of practitioners and participants.