The approaches people use for convergence generally fit into 3 categories:

• Voting and prioritizing
  Using marks or adhesive dots or voting software to highlight a few "hot" items out of the many that emerged in discussions - to give a "snapshot" of what are the emerging issues, for shifting into action planning or for reflection on what the group as a whole can or should focus on for its next steps
• Synthesis
  A variety of methods to help a group see a common and often new pattern for action or reflection
• Re-opening space
  An invitation to take responsibility for what you care about and work with those interested in joining you

Voting and Prioritizing

I like to invite people as they read the discussion reports or reflect on the day to identify what they feel "with passion" are the top 3 or 5 top issues for themselves and the organization. A quick way of getting that picture is the old sticky dot or check mark on the topic issues on the wall. If new issues or different formulation of issues need to be added, participants post them to the wall at that time.

There is rarely a bottleneck of people voting at the wall since everyone does it at their own rhythm during the reading period. Then a quick glance usually tells you what the top ones are and if desired, a quick count of dots on those gives you more precisely their hierarchy of importance. Some grouping of reports whose content is identical is then done to avoid vote splitting and truly reflect the ranking of that issue.

To action plan on collective issues and on people's personal passion … people meet under one of the top 5 - or more - issues or any other if they care to. They identify related issues, agree on next steps - what, who, when. Consistent with OS principles, people can go to more than one topic planning group if they so wish.

I always enjoy exchanges on how to do convergence because I always discover new options that allow us to be flexible with the group's energy and needs.

Diane Gibeault
Diane Gibeault & Associé.es/Associates, Ottawa, Canada
http://www.dianegibeault.com

In a three-day Open Space event, the second day ends with the completion of the book in which the discussion of all issues is reported as well as the names of those who contributed. The issues themselves are listed and numbered in order of receipt. The next part of the process brings everything down to the point of action…My practice is to place the books in the center of the circle and invite the participants to come and get their own copies…The order of the day…comes in two and sometimes three parts: 1. Reading Time and Prioritization, 2. Convergence and Action Steps, 3. Action Meetings.