Open Space – What Does It Mean?

Have you discovered that when you ask the hard questions that answers are sometime slow in appearing?  Have you tried asking a group for input on an idea and found them reluctant to respond with free expression?

There are many reasons for lack of free expression and less than creative answers to perplexing challenges. There are several effective ways to find great input and Open Space Technology is one way. Here is a short description of how Open Space works and how to use it.

Harrison Owen created open space in its current form, in the 1980s. He suggested a format for addressing issues that brings groups together and draws on the knowledge and intelligence of everyone present. By utilizing this method a great deal can be accomplished and everyone involved has ownership of an end result. There is one law and four principles to Open Space. When organizing an Open Space session these must be abundantly clear to all participants.

The Law of Two Feet

This means you take responsibility for what you care about — standing up for that and using your own two feet to move to whatever place you can best contribute and/or learn. In other words you take full responsibility for your satisfaction with the process. Too many people stay in sessions at conventional conferences and then complain that it was not a valuable experience. The Law of Two feet gives you permission to walk away if the session is not useful or you don’t feel like you can add value.

Four Principles

Whoever comes are the right people. It doesn’t matter if there are two people or 200. They are the ones who can add the most to the conversation and are capable of determining action and moving forward.

Whatever happens is the only thing that could’ve. Everyone comes to any session with his or her own experiences and history. This principle acknowledges that those present are ready to address an issue now. They are not looking backward but rather looking forward and contributing to solutions.

When it starts is the right time. Our task is to make our best contribution when creativeness is at its peak.  This acknowledges that creativity is a flow and it is good to enter that flow when it is moving.

When it’s over it’s over. Creativity has a rhythm and so do groups. This acknowledges that a session should not be run by a clock but by the passionate flow on conversation. When that wanes it is time to stop.

Basic Open Space Set Up

1. Decide on a focusing statement. This should be framed in a positive fashion.
2. Invite stakeholders to participate. Determine time and place and include focus in the invitation.
3. Create the circle. Use concentric circles for larger groups. Designate a space for the AGENDA Wall and for computers for notes and updates. Include paper (8.5×14) and colored pens for posting specific topics around the theme.
4. The facilitator explains the theme and the process to organize and record discussions. The Law of Two Feet and the Principles are explained. Participants are asked t think for a few minutes on what has meaning for them around the theme.
5. Open the Marketplace: Participants are invited to step into the middle of the circle and write a topic, their name and time and place for the meeting. It is then posted on the AGENDA Wall. There is one sheet per topic and as many topics as anyone wants to propose. The proposer becomes the convener and is responsible for facilitating and recording their session to be included on the News Wall.
6. When all the offering are concluded each participant signs up for the session(s) they are interested in and take responsibility for their own schedule using the Law of Two Feet.
7. People participate in the discussions. Reporters enter reports in computers and reports are posted on the News Wall.
8. Everyone reconvenes before closing to share highlights, insights, and key learnings in a dialogue format. There is no discussion at this time.
9. All the reports are sent to participants.

Acknowledgement to Anne Stadler and her article:  DOING AN OPEN SPACE: A TWO-PAGE PRIMER

I invite you to learn more about Open Space meetings first-hand during my Tuesday Exchange Cafe.