To Craig LaFargue, from Martin Leith

[Martin Leith]

Hi Craig.

During the 12 years that I've been working with Open Space I've never had
the luxury of a third day, so I've developed a short action planning process
that can be run at the end of the first or second day. I recently used it as
part of a three hour (sic) Open Space in Ireland with 220 healthcare
managers. Yes, from briefing to project teams and action plans in three
hours, with two periods of Open Space along the way. Sound crazy, but we did
it. If you'd like to check out the process, go to
http://www.theinnovationagency.com/openspace/actionteams.html for full
details. The key to successful implementation is, I believe, the
co-ordination team. If you know Stafford Beer's viable system model then the
co-ordination team provides what Beer calls 'System two' - the connectivity
between the different action teams, and between the action teams and the
formal management system. This ensures that the projects are part of the
mainstream management agenda, receive management attention and are part of
the budget allocation process. It also makes sure that the teams aren't
unknowingly competing for resources.

Hoe this is useful.

Wishing you well in your adventures,

Martin Leith
The Innovation Agency Limited
Brighton, United Kingdom
http://www.theinnovationagency.com