60 minute Open Space

[Lisa Heft]

Okay, so tell me this - if you only have 60 minutes, why does it have  
to be Open Space?
Why not another engaging, interactive, participant-centered dialogic  
tool / form / process?

When I analyze what tool to use, I first define with the client their  
overarching objectives, characteristics of physical site where the  
meeting will be, number of participants, desired outcomes, time  
available, context of what comes before and after, and several other  
elements. I choose the tool last, based on that analysis and  
information.

I often do not choose Open Space as the tool when there is not enough  
time for the full basic form (Opening Circle, Agenda co-creation,  
multiple discussion-circle sessions (ideally) and Closing Circle /  
comments and reflections).  Because Open Space's gift is offering a  
way to shift thinking through the use of stretching time and space and  
traveling from discussion to discussion - a few session times allow  
the brain to shift from the linear to the intuitive and for folks to  
note patterns and threads.

So in shorter time frames I use such things as World Cafe, question  
circles and other interactive, dialogic, participant-centered methods  
both named and un-named.

Also: there are various elements that are common to interactive  
learning and interchange - posting ideas on a wall, coming to the  
center of a circle, discussion groups, co-creation of an agenda - and  
I would not call them Open Space if they are not part of the basic  
form.  Actually, I don't have to call those things anything - I can  
just use them where they are useful.

So my Devil's Advocate question to you is: why use or call it Open  
Space if it's to fit into one hour?

Thanks for the co-learning,

Co-Lisa

Lisa Heft
Consultant, Facilitator, Educator
Opening Space
lisaheft at openingspace.net
www.openingspace.net


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