Open space and software development (was 'A short introduction')

[Harrison Owen]

Tom Wrote: "I agree, comparisons between open space, open source and agile
methods have limited value."

Probably true, but I think that the value might lie in understanding that
operative power underlying all three "methods" is self-organization. And to
the extent that any of them "work" they do so because self-organization
works. It then might be very useful to consider how each method enhances the
possibility for effective self-organization. What is the same and what is
different? From where I sit, it is all open space (not Open Space
Technology) and the critical question is how can we most effectively work
with it? To quote my now favorite mantra -- "There is no such thing as a
non-self organizing system."  There are only some mildly deluded people who
think they organized it. And there are also, I am sure, an infinite number
of effective ways to enhance our capacity to work intelligently in the self
organizing environment.

Harrison

Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Drive
Potomac, Maryland   20845
Phone 301-365-2093

Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com
Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org
Personal website http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm
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-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Tom
Tuddenham
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2005 5:36 AM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Open space and software development (was 'A short introduction')

Hi Diana, et al

I agree, comparisons between open space, open source and agile methods
have limited value. But if I can take your example and skew it
somewhat, I'd like to think of considering each a bit more like
comparing rubber tires, steering wheels and the little tachometer
thing.. they're all circles, but put them together and you've got
something that goes.

Again, I know I'm being wildly speculative - but it's a bit of fun
seeing how far I can take this idea. And in regard to ant metaphor
Lucas brought up, funnily enough we've called our little venture
'Siafu' after the ants of the serengeti plains. The notion is that many
little things working together can make big things happen.

I'm particularly excited about the strange coincidence of open space,
open source and related concepts appearing to emerge all at once. I
know this isn't literally the case, many of these things have been
building up over many years, but with everything that is available now
there seems to be an unprecedented scope for new and interesting
business models.

Thanks for posting the links on Agile software development methods. If
there's anyone in Adelaide interested in discussing these things
further (say, over a coffee or over a pint) then perhaps we should
organise a "space".

Best wishes to you all

Cheers
Tom

On 16/03/2005, at 7:20 AM, Diana Larsen wrote:

> Lucas, Todd, Chris and all,
>
> For  more information on Agile software development methods, you can
> look at:
> www.agilealliance.org
> and, specifically,
> www.agilemanifesto.org
>
> And, yes, they are used in situations where highly complex software is
> being
> developed. Sometimes folks who are developing open source software use
> agile
> methods but not always. The only time I've seen open space in a
> software
> development context is as a conference format. (Which doesn't mean it
> hasn't
> happened. I just am not aware of it.)
>
> As to whether open source and/or open space and/or agile methods have
> some
> points of congruency, I think they do. All have an emphasis on
> self-organization
> and, as the agile folks say, finding the simplest effective way, for
> instance. To
> the extent that some external group sets the priority for the focus of
> activity,
> Agile and Open Space have a similar starting point. However, there are
> also
> differences. Agile methods are intended to culminate in a primarily
> pre-
> determined product, even though there may be adjustments along the way.
> Open source developers often work in physical isolation and may
> communicate
> primarily through email and IM-ing. That can work well for solving
> thorny
> technical problems, but has its limits for human and organizational
> process
> issues. I've witnessed both the excitement and the limits of this.
>
> Comparing Open Space with Open Source and Agile SD Methods is a bit
> like
> comparing apples, oranges and rubber tires. They all take the form of
> a circle,
> but things are different from there.
>
> Diana
>
> Diana Larsen
> www.futureworksconsulting.com   503-288-3550
>
> Upcoming Workshop:
> "The Secrets of Agile Teamwork: Beyond Technical Skills"
> Presenters: Diana Larsen, Esther Derby and Ken Schwaber.
> April 5-7, 2005
> See the Events section of our website for more details...
>
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