Symposium

What is Open Space?

Overview

I could probably write 1000 pages about what Open Space is . . . There is a website at the Open Space Institute . . . surf on over and check it out. The bottom line is that it is a meeting process that begins without a set agenda. The first portion of the meeting is a time for the group to identify each person's passions regarding the topic . . . the whole thing runs on the passion bounded by the responsibility of the group . . . whether used in a corporate setting or one such as ours . . . the result is one that brings out the spirit and soul of the group. Check out the site . . . of course, I LOVE to talk about . . . I live my life in Open Space.

The Four Principles of Open Space

Whoever comes is the right people
Whatever happens is the only thing that could have
Whenever it starts is the right time
When it is over, it is over

The Law of Mobility

If at any time you are in a place where you feel you are neither contributing nor learning, you alone have the responsibility to remove yourself from that place and find a place where you CAN contribute and learn.

Quick and Dirty Description

Open Space Technology (OST) is a process that was "discovered" by my father, Harrsion Owen, in 1985. It is best used by an organization facing a very complex issue, with a vast diversity of people (EVERYONE from the CEO to the janitor), with much potential for conflict (every person has true passion for the topic), and with a very short time fuse (need quick resolution). Organizational Transformation consultants identify the need for Open Space (usually when a company is facing tremendous transformation of some sort) . . . and propose an Open Space event.

The event is VERY simple to organize . . . All you gotta do is invite the people (informing them of the topic) by saying that if they have TRUE PASSION for this topic to show up . . . else, no agenda is discussed . . . no speakers or organizational meetings. When the participants show up, the space for the meeting is set up with sufficient chairs in a circle with a pile of magic-markers and butcher block paper in the center . . . the walls have some strange posters. When the group stops "buzzing," the facilitator "bounds the circle" . . . that is, Opens the Space for the group by taking about 20 minutes to comment first on why they came (the Topic) and then on the Four Principles and the one law of mobility (see above box). The facilitator then invites the folks to come to the center of the circle and propose "sessions" related to the main topic. Within 30 minutes, most groups have MORE than enough topics posted to "fill" the time allotted for the event . . . that is when "the Market-Place" opens during which time the group, "negotiates" times and places for sessions that may conflict with each other. From that point forward, the group has become empowered and usually "runs" itself for the remainder of the event. The only group meetings are each morning and evening at the main circle.

-- Barry

See also: Open Space Technology?

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This page last updated on: September 17, 1997 Web page developed and maintained by Kitty Morel & Rod Frank If you have comments, please drop us mail at k_morel@msn.com or rodfrank@usa.net

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