Do other people care about the issues that I want to raise? Do we share the same sentiments or opinions? Is my agenda important for the organization? Can I share my ideas with a lot of people or just a few individuals who see the importance of my thoughts? Can an organization function efficiently if it’s not organized or ideas are not properly conceptualized? These are some questions you sometimes ask when you’re a member of an organization that is not quite sure where it is or where it is headed.
When a problem like this poses a threat to the organization, Harrison Owen proposes a solution. It 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. It’s called Open Space Technology or Conference. Here, people identify specific issues on a given topic, self-select into discussion groups, and work with the issue with people also concerned with that issue. It is very useful for people who share the same interests.
Ideas do come from different situations. When Harrison Owen came up with the idea for a new change process, he was just observing people who loved coffee breaks more than the sessions. Hence, the birth of a totally new form of conferencing.
This planning process is different from other ones because no one is in control. There is a sense of freedom per se. You go in there without an agenda but you could post your agendas and try to look for people who share the same. There are no speakers, only themes.
Open Space Technology follows four key principles and one law as conditions for success. They are very simple yet they play an important role in the success or failure of the conference. The key principles are:
(1) Whoever comes are the right people.
(2) Whatever happens is the only thing that could have.
(3) Whenever it starts is the right time.
(4) When it is over it is over
The Law of Two Feet, according to the report, if you are no longer interested in the session you are part of, you have permission to leave. The law puts responsibility for your own actions on your own shoulders.
This kind of large scale intervention, in my opinion, is very effective because you feel that your opinion is valued or has importance. Being part of a conference that aims to improve the organization you’re part of is fulfilling. At the same time, having people whom you could share your thoughts is also worthwhile. Indeed, it is an intervention for social change.
Open Space Technology lecture and discussion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Space_Technology
http://www.openspaceworld.org/cgi/wiki.cgi?AboutOpenSpace
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