1-minute podcast summary of OS

Sun Apr 13 08:09:09 PDT 2008

Hi John,

I too loved your brief audio explanation -- fabulous!

A few things I've noticed in similar situations:

1) The self-organized agenda is always valued and valuable.

2) Creating welcoming space helps a lot -- e.g. have greeters at the  
door who help orient people as they wander in at different times.

3) The lack of reflection circle can generate increased tension in the  
room, especially for folks who end up spending a lot of time in the  
OS. I'm thinking of one example where the group was very creative  
during OS sessions, then fractured because there was no container for  
collective meaning making. Of course that group was working on a  
common project, which is different than your situation.

4) I think the lack of reflection circle can be mitigated at least to  
some extent through the use of art and technology. A graphic recorder  
can help to weave session stories into a collective story.  
Participants can be encouraged to add what's important to the graphic  
news wall. In this tech-centric setting, using a wiki, blogs, FlickR  
tags and other electronic story tools can help provide the collective  
mind space.

I look forward to hearing how it goes!

Gabriel

--
Gabriel Shirley
BigMind Consulting
http://bigmindconsulting.com

Linked in profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielshirley
Blog: http://blog.gabrielshirley.com
P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail

On Apr 12, 2008, at 7:47 AM, John Engle wrote:

> hi doug et al.
>
> thank you for your messages and ideas, Doug and Raffi.
>
> here's the text, Doug:
>
> I’m John Engle, and I’ll be organizing the “Open Space” learning  
> area at STAREAST.  What is “Open Space?” Simply put, it’s a meeting  
> method that allows people to come together to suggest and discuss  
> topics that they’re passionate about. We provide the venue, and you  
> provide the expertise!
> Though the STAREAST program covers a vast number of software testing  
> topics, there is no way to touch on everything. That’s where Open  
> Space comes in. It’s a place where you set the agenda. Whether it’s  
> discussing something more in depth or examining a topic that’s not  
> on the program, Open Space is the place to convene.  It’s like an  
> extended coffee break with a tad of structure; a gathering place for  
> you, your ideas, and your colleagues.
>
> At STAREAST, you’re going to have the best of both worlds: great  
> keynotes,  tutorials, and concurrent session AND a space for YOU  
> your colleagues to identify and address what’s emerging in real-time.
> Look for Open Space on Thursday and Friday next to the Registration  
> Desk at STAREAST. See you there!
>
> thanks again raffi and doug.
>
> John
>
> douglas germann <76066.515 at compuserve.com> wrote:
> John--
>
> Wonderful inviting language you use.
>
> I want to steal it. Is it possible for you to share a text version of
> the script for your podcast?
>
> As to what you call it, how about if you just use lower case open  
> space
> rather than the caps? Or "opening space?"
>
> :- Doug.
>
>
>
>
> On Fri, 2008-04-11 at 19:00 -0700, John Engle wrote:
> > Dear fellow listers,
> >
> > I've been working with an innovative company that does four
> > conferences annually. Attendance ranges from 500 to 1,100.
> >
> > For a multitude of reasons, organizers are not interested in using
> > pure OS (open space) for any of their conferences. But, they are
> > extremely interested in creating some opportunity for participants  
> and
> > speakers to self-organize.
> >
> > We experimented during their December conference with a bit of OS.
> > About 50-60 of the 500 attendees made use of the OS sessions. Many
> > more browsed the area to look at topics and check it out. Given
> > constraints and challenges, conference organizers were satisfied  
> with
> > results and decided to experiment with OS in their four conferences
> > this year. They also decided to be more intentional about promoting
> > it.
> >
> > Click here to listen to podcast promoting OS for their May  
> conference:
> > http://www.stickyminds.com/ControlImages/StickyMinds/Image/Podcast/Audio/John_Engle_STAREAST_2008_blurb.mp3
> >
> > Click here to see how OS is presented on conference website:
> > http://www.sqe.com/STAREAST/Events/Default.aspx
> >
> > All things considered I proposed to organizers that we do away with
> > opening and closing circle. Am I a heretic? I also proposed that we
> > might consider calling it something different but organizers really
> > like the "open space" label. At the conference, I'll take about 5-7
> > minutes before a keynote speaker to explain to 800+ people how our
> > "open space" will work and where to find me. Then, I'll just hang  
> out
> > for two days hosting the space.
> >
> > All the principles along with the law will be posted. And of-course,
> > there will be a bulletin board where people post topics.
> >
> > So, is this an innovative way to invite self-organization into a
> > traditional conference? Am I a heretic in still calling it open
> > space?
> >
> > What am I missing?
> >
> > I welcome your thoughts.
> >
> > I don't take for granted the beauty of being able to use a somewhat
> > recognized term--"open space"--and having the liberty to adapt it  
> to a
> > particular context. Equally if not more significant, this message  
> will
> > reach hundreds of insightful people in a multitude of countries who
> > shape the way I think.
> >
> > Harrison, your approach to leadership continues to stimulate and
> > inspire me.
> >
> > With gratitude,
> >
> > John Engle
> >
> >
> > www.johnengle.net
> > www.circlesofchange.com
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