My story of the Open Space Organization Part 2 of 4

[Artur F. Silva]

Dear Birgitt:

I want to thank you for your superb story on OSO. I look forward
to see the next 2 parts. But this one gives enough matter for
dialog and clarification. First let me tell you that yours is the first
DETAILED story of repeated OST's in the same organisation
I know, intended to develop an OS Org (OSO, from now). Because
of this it can be very important to all our community, especially if
it gets published..

I will comment/ask here things I think can be of general interest.
I will also discuss some suggestions of editing that I think have
general interest, especially if you plan to publish the story. But
I will not discuss some detailed suggestions on editing that I
also have made and will send you privately, shall you be interested
in them.

Please note: I am using a lot of my time to do that; please don't see
"criticism" where there are only friendly suggestion for improvement.

My comments will respect the order of your text. I will sometimes
refer to pages of my printing, even if pics can be different (my text
has 22 pages).

- The OSO story and your story are too much interwoned. They are
perhaps difficult to separate; but I think your readers are not interested
in your decisions when you were 9 year old; no CEO will consider this
to be relevant, even if he/she made the some votes by that age, and
especially if he/she didn't. I would begin yout story at the University.

When you first refereed to the three centres an immediately
carification of the objectives of each would be good (you only give it
many pages below).

You make a very good case for the use of many OSTs to promote
cultural change and co-operation (but not "every one you can" - only
relevant ones).

First OST with "broader possible theme" - very good idea;

The CEO being the OST facilitator of first OST (I had never thought
about that - but it worked); what were the immediate comments of other
participants? and a long term evaluation (Vs using an external facilitator?)

The CEO being the facilitator for all following meetings (if I
understood well); why not rely on other facilitators, from the
organisation? why not train all staff to become facilitators?

Hierarchy Vs OS - many doubts.

Don't skip the opening - good suggestion...

Achievements from 1992-95

The achievements are related with story. Why not separate them:
story before and a list of achievements as a conclusion?

There is an implicit idea that OST made the merging of cultures;
but the effect of seven years of merging (even if not very good
merging) in not clear. Should OST be used 7 years before, would
the same good effects of OST on merger appeared?

A lot of people made the cultural change; so why was it so easy
for the new Treasurer to reverse the situation?

Ingredients of the Open Space

 From point 5 to the end, those are specific to OST/OS. Previous ones
are "good general management practices" not directly related to OS.
My suggestion: suppress them or refer them earlier as preconditions.

I think the story of last years should be rewritten - or suppressed in the
document and reserved for questions - if this was a paper presented to
a Conference.

Brigit, your paper in wonderful, especially as it is the first of a kind.
Thank you fore it. please, see my observations as the comments I
would make to a close friend or expect to receive from one.

Looking forward to see the two last parts

Friendly

Artur

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