Open Space Technology
What is Open Space Technology (OST) and how can it help my organization?
Originated by Harrison Owen in 1986, OST is a meeting methodology that calls upon the core belief that people will take action on issues of importance to them. The outcome of this simple idea is that when participants do so, in a format designed to support autonomy and free exchange of information, the needs of both the individual and the collective are met.
Open Space Technology enables groups of any size to address complex, important issues and achieve meaningful results quickly. It is at its best where more traditional meeting formats fail: when there is conflict, complexity, diversity of thought or people and short decision times. It has been used in widely diverse settings, from designing airplane doors at a large airplane manufacturing company to engaging street kids in defining a sustainable jobs program.
What happens in an Open Space event?
The facilitator explains the process and then participants co-create the agenda and host their own discussion groups. Discussions are held in designated areas or separate rooms known as 'breakout spaces' and participants are free to move among the discussion groups. Each group records the conversation on flipcharts which can then be combined into a full record of proceedings for the meeting. In a several-day event participants have the opportunity to announce new discussion topics each morning. At the end of the session the full group reconvenes for comments and reflection.
What are the basic principles?
The Law of Two Feet -- a foot of passion and a foot of responsibility -- expresses the core idea of taking responsibility for what you care about. If you're neither contributing nor getting value where you are, use your two feet (or available form of mobility) and go somewhere else. It is also a reminder to stand up for what you love. From the law, flow four principles:
- Whoever comes is the right people
- Whatever happens is the only thing that could have
- When it starts is the right time
- When it's over, it's over
Where can I learn more?
- Open Space Technology: A User's Guide (Harrison Owen)
- http://www.openspaceworld.org/
