Introducing OST for strategic planning - Question

[Communications Esther Matte]

Hi Susan,

I recently did an OS that was in fact strategic 
planning, but was not called that. It was for a 
non-profit organization. They wanted to seize the 
opportunity of a move to larger offices to review 
and expand their services to better answer their 
clients' needs. The steps of strategic planning 
were not taken as they normally are, one after 
the other, but the theme oriented the work and 
the elements of strategic planning emerged 
naturally in the conversations and in the 
reports. So there was no formal SWOT analysis, 
but the actual strenghts, weaknesses, 
opportunities and threats did come out and were 
discussed. They didn't examine obstacles, but 
those came out in the conversations and were 
considered. After exploring various issues and 
options, the group decided on three priorities 
and as the OS was two full days, the action plans 
they developed were quite solid. Together, they 
do constitute a strategic plan, simple but 
robust, written in clear language. A week later, 
the management team sat down and reorganized work 
and schedules in view of implementing the action 
plans. That was something that I insisted upon 
all along preparation: start thinking what you 
can let go of, maybe just for a while, to make 
place for actions that will come out of OS. Mind 
you it was a small organization, so maybe a bit easier to do.

 From your e-mails, it seems that your VP wants 
to go with OS but is still afraid a little bit. 
Could you try to have your presentation moved 
after Lisa's? Because OS is such a different 
process, it would give you a chance to point out 
particularities that answer whatever objectives 
or preoccupations you hear during Lisa's 
presentation. You would probably know by then if 
OS can be a fit or not. And if you feel not, then 
you can simply say so and save time to everyone. Just a thought.

I'm sure your presentation of OS will at help the 
VP get more comfortable with it, and the others 
start thinking about how productive and fun it 
could be. If the timing is not quite right now, 
well "whenever it starts is the right time". They may need a little more time.

Hope this helps!

Harrison, thank you for that article! I put it in 
my favorites for future reference.

Esther Matte
Communications Esther Matte
1011, Marie-Victorin
Verchères (Québec) J0L 2R0
www.excellence.ca

"L'art de dire"

Tél. : (450) 583-5849
Téléc. : (450) 583-3513

At 00:06 2007-10-12, you wrote:
>The article you sent is perfect, Harrison, thank 
>you. And I agree with your comments, too. I 
>asked if the "experts" were necessary and he 
>mentioned environmental trends we may not know of.
>
>The meeting invitation I received today to talk 
>with the VP & HR Dir about OST is kind of 
>doubtful. He lists the meeting agenda as:
>
>Susan provides overview of Open Space Technology
>Lisa provides overview of purpose of 
>environmental assessment session (outcomes 
>wanted), proposed agendas (process approaches), participants and time frame
>Susan provides an "analysis of the fit of the intended outcomes for OST
>Group determines whether or not to continue to 
>pursue OST approach for the meeting and next steps as appropriate
>
>Years ago I had given the VP a copy of your 
>Introduction to Open Space Technology book. He 
>does understand the concepts of it but he hasn't 
>seen it in action. I'm afraid it might not be 
>successful in this situation but I'll give it a 
>go to try to explain it to them.
>
>Thank you! I'll let you know how it goes.
>Susan
>
>
>
>
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