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 INTRODUCTION: Open Space Technology is a
workshop design tool to use when situations include a diverse group of
people who must deal with complex, and potentially conflicting
material in innovative and productive ways. With Open Space,
people tend to be creative, synergistic and self-motivated. It
is a facilitation method in which people can identify specific
issues on a given topic, self-select into discussion groups, and
work with the issue with people also concerned with that issue.
POINT TO PONDER:
“I can’t believe that after all these meetings, workshops and
conference sessions, the most valuable time for me was still during
the coffee breaks, when I met with people I wanted to meet with and
talk about the issues I wanted to talk about.” - Harrison Owen,
author of Open Space Technology: A Users Guide
DIRECTIONS: Following is an
outline of directions for facilitating Open Space Technology.
What To Expect
In this session, participants will learn and participate in a
group discussion technique called Open Space Technology. This
is a tested approach to the enhancement of group effectiveness.
It can be used with groups of 5 to 500. It is particularly
effective when a number of people must address complex and/or
conflicted issues in a short period of time, with high levels of
innovation, ownership, and synergy.
The Circle
The circular chair arrangement signifies that all are equal
here--both as knowers and learners. Participants are all facing
each other equally, with the opportunity to work together to
discuss and resolve issues, if they so choose.
Passion and Responsibility
Open Space runs on two principles: passion and responsibility.
Without passion, nobody is interested. Without responsibility,
noting will get done. Obviously, different people feel
passionately about different things and it is also obvious that
people will not take responsibility for something they are not
passionate
about. In Open Space, people come together around topics they
care about. Voluntary self-selection is the absolute sine qua
non for participation in the Open Space event.
Stating the Theme
The facilitator should tell the group that in a few minutes they
will be asked to (and not everyone has to) identify some issue
or opportunity related to the specific workshop or conference
theme (such as “Common Issues About Leadership for Youth
Activism”), issues for which they have a genuine passion and for
which they will take real responsibility for discussing. They
should be thinking of powerful ideas that really grab them to
the point that they will take the responsibility to make sure
that something gets
done about that issue. The facilitator should remind the
group that if nothing occurs to someone, that is OK, and if
someone has more than one issue or opportunity, that is OK too.
The facilitator should introduce and make flipcharts for the
following concepts for Open Space:
The Four Principles
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Who ever comes is the right people
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Whatever happens is all that could have
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Whenever it starts is the right time
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When it is over, it is over
The Law of Two Feet
The Law of Two Feet implies that if, after being in part of a
session you no longer interested in, you have permission to
leave. The law puts responsibility for your own actions on your
own shoulders.
Bumblebees and Butterflies
Bumblebees and Butterflies are for those people who wish to use
their two feet and "flit" from meeting to meeting. These people
can pollinate and cross-fertilize, lending richness and variety
to the discussions.
Additionally, you should...
Put the chairs in a circle, and set the tone by presenting the
theme and explaining the process and purpose of setting the
agenda.
Determining the Topics:
The facilitator should then tell the group that once they have
their issue or opportunity in mind, to come out into the center
of the circle, grab a piece of paper and marker and write down a
short title and sign their name. Once done, each should stand
in front of the group and say "I would like to address _____”,
or “I’d like to talk with people about _____”. After each
person has announced their theme, they should take the piece of
paper and tape it up on the blank wall.
Proposing an area for discussion, and taking responsibility for
it does not require that the propose-r be an expert or that a
formal presentation be given. Either or both of those could be
true, but it is equally possible that the propose-r could be
virtually ignorant of the subject and was looking for some
people with whom to share the ignorance and develop some
knowledge. Taking responsibility means the propose-r will
designate a time and space and then convene the session.
Developing the Community Bulletin Board and Agenda
After people have stood to announce their sessions, they should
pass by a blank chart and affix their issue to it. Once the
community bulletin board is created with all the possible
discussion group topics, the facilitator should move on to talk
about the market place.
Creating the Agenda
Now that all the possible topics are on the wall, people need to
develop an agenda by determining when and where the
session/discussion will be held. Give people time to discuss
together, negotiate, combine similar session topics, and move
sessions around so that most people can attend the key sessions
of their choice.
By the time the agenda is complete, the community should have
specific discussion groups determined, as well as the time and
place for each group.
A number of groups should run simultaneously.
Session Recording
The facilitator should determine if the group wants each session
proceedings recorded. If so, designate the facilitator /
propose-r of the session to use a recording form and ask for a
volunteer to record critical and important ideas and points
raised during the meeting.
Suggested Timing for Open Space
The Launch
Take about 15 minutes for the overview of the session and
technique and spend the next 30 minutes with the group creating
the topics and working though the bulletin board and the market
place.
The Sessions
These can take as long as necessary within the constraints of
the workshop
Suggested Citation
Fletcher, A. (2002). FireStarter Youth Power Curriculum:
Participant Guidebook. Olympia, WA: Freechild Project.
For further information: Order the book Open Space
Technology: A User’s Guide, by Harrison Owen. Abbott Publishing,
7808 River Falls Drive, Potomac, Maryland, 20854;
Telephone and Fax; (301) 469-9269.
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