When should Open Space Technology not be used?

When the people who hold power and authority feel they must control the outcome and the way that people work together, then Open Space is not appropriate. A client using Open Space must commit to staying open to where the experience takes the organization, and as holding an Open Space may lead to innovation, the outcomes of the meeting are unknown until you get there. In Open Space people work together across hierarchal, historical and departmental lines, and indeed when everyone gets back to work it is probable that they will continue to work and communicate in a way that is different than the on-paper organizational structure or the ways a society has been set up, historically. Open Space shifts control from one leader to all of the participants themselves, including the organization's or community's traditional leaders.

Don't squish the space

It also doesn't work well if you squish the space into too little time. A half-day Open Space will work for quick brainstorming. A one-day Open Space allows for deep discussion and next steps -- I wouldn't design action planning into that short a time. Two days allows for deep exploration of the theme with some action plans and a full book of proceedings. A 2.5-day Open Space can include brainstorming, action planning, a book of proceedings and deeper buy-in from the participants.

Who uses Open Space Technology?

Since the mid-1980's Open Space has been used to hold international conferences, design new approaches to cancer research, rebuild communities after war, increase efficiency and revenue, design land use, create new products, discuss ethnicity and culture, develop strategic plans and bring perceived adversaries together. It has been used by Palestinians and Israelis coming together to talk about peace, New Yorkers trying to define their experience soon after the terrorist tragedy, Haitians building literacy programs, South Africans working together after apartheid, students, parents, managers, activists, engineers and architects.

Nobody owns the method, no certification process is necessary, and you can either learn it for yourself from reading a book or take a workshop to share your learning and experience with others.

I am part of a global learning community of Open Space practitioners who invite you to question, learn and share with us. We'll share our materials and experiences with you and help you design and prepare to lead your own Open Space event - and we'll want to hear your stories of challenges and successes, as well. Because we feel that when you open space for deeper communication and more passionate work, good things happen.