Design question for an OS-meeting

[Lisa Heft]

Hi, Thomas -

 

Thomas has asked for help with design of a several-day OS including action
planning.  He is also beginning with storytelling and including some marking
of topics (I'm not going to call this voting as that implies only those
items with majority support will get done or are the things that matter -
Thomas of course you feel that too).

 

I'll add my two kronors (Thomas is in Sweden) to the mix of ideas and shared
experiences:

 

I find that (and you probably agree, Thomas, if I know you) having
participants mark 'hot' issues towards the end of a facilitated event does
not necessarily identify which ones will actually get worked on after the
event - it's a snapshot of how people feel right then - so whenever one is
asking a group to mark topics it's essential to decide on how to name and
frame the instructions.  What is the group asked to place a sticky-dot on -
those topics which can get done with zero additional budget? Those topics
that can be done by any individual without needing committee approval?
Those topics that require additional research?  I find that clarifying this
as part of the pre-work is very useful.  In addition it helps the
client/sponsor/host articulate what is really needed.  If they needed to
measure accomplishment, that can be done by showing anyone the amazing Book
of Proceedings.  If they need to measure intention to action, that can be
done by showing the action planning forms coming from the 'reopening of
space' action planning session.  So articulating what and why a dot-'vote'
is needed is truly helpful. 

 

I find that reopening the space for action planning is a great way to do
action planning - and I use an action planning form adapted from the one
designed by the fabulous Diane Gibeault and colleagues (page 1 is the form
that action planning convenors take to their sessions to document their
discussions - along with it is a sign-up sheet for participants in that
discussion; page 2 is an example of a personal action planning form that I
sometimes put on the chairs in closing circle if one of the intentions of
the event is to support people doing their own personal action work).

 

http://www.openingspace.net/openSpaceTechnology_method_resources.shtml  (see
the second-to-the-last item on this list)

 

I find that action planning sessions can be 45 minutes - it is not a session
to *do* the work but to identify the work, the resources needed, the
timelines, who else should be contacted, and so on.  I have done one and I
have also done two rounds of action planning sessions just before closing
circle.  

 

I love the way that re-opening the space invites any action to have a
champion, whether it is one passionate person or a whole group.  It supports
the same values of the main Open Space sessions - that any ideas are worthy
and that anyone can make a difference, and that anything is possible.

 

I like to give the most time for open space sessions before action planning.
I understand the intention and experience of those of you who use
storytelling before opening space and I know it has been very successful -
it is not something I do because I find that the Open Space also invites the
stories.

 

I have also found that in those events where you cannot print up a Book of
Proceedings before action planning time, the group seems to get enough data
from the original (or xerox-enlarged) notes people took from the sessions
that are posted up on the wall as the Open Space goes along.  

 

I look forward to hearing everyone else's ideas and experiences and thank
you Thomas for inviting the sharing,

 

Lisa

 

___________________________

L i s a   H e f t

Consultant, Facilitator, Educator

O p e n i n g  S p a c e

 <mailto:lisaheft at openingspace.net> lisaheft at openingspace.net

 <http://www.openingspace.net> www.openingspace.net 

 

 

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