[OSList] is OS apropriate to fill a structure

Daniel Mezick via OSList oslist at lists.openspacetech.org
Sun Aug 9 06:29:27 PDT 2015


Hello Barry, Koos, Hege and All,

Hmmm, I wonder if the key issue in this situation (as described by Hege) 
is this actually one:

[compulsion/imposition] *versus* [invitation]

Here is one way to express it, in given-when-then format:

Given:

  * 10 meeting spaces
  * 04 meeting times (meaning 10X4=40 sessions possible)
  * 04 pre-defined topics occupying 04 of the 10-total meeting spaces in
    all timeslots
  * 100% opt-in participation

When:

  * The event is happening

Then:

  * Participants are free to fill up to (10 minus 04 equals 06) spaces,
    across 04 meeting times = 24 sessions


Such a design implies a max of about 100 people, assuming the common 
ratio of sessions-to-participants of about .2 to .3 (20 to 30 percent) 
... yes and of course there are exceptions...

Illustration:

100 participants X .20 = about 20 anticipated sessions minimum
100 participants X .30 = about 30 anticipated sessions maximum

Now, no one actually knows what might happen, so we can guess instead. 
Guessing based on experience indicates that this "reserve 4 spaces" 
thing can work, as long as

  * it's opt-in and
  * there is no compulsion to attend, and
  * there is no crowding out of likely sessions constructed in the usual
    dynamic way


If more than 100 people are anticipated,  then more times and/or spaces 
probably need to be defined to accommodate "whatever happens."



And...


By definition, the design of Open Space prescribes [invitation] and is 
repelled by and allergic to compulsion & imposition.

So, if the 4 "politician-approved" topics are opt-in to attend, there is 
no compulsion. This seems reasonable and in alignment and supporting of 
the spirit of Open Space. I wonder if strong suggestion in the 
OST-invite (and/or at the Opening, in words from the Host) might be 
experienced as something less than open, depending on the style, tone 
and tempo of the delivery?

There is also want to examine this related link:
http://newtechusa.net/agile/on-persuasion/




On 8/7/15 7:36 AM, Barry Owen via OSList wrote:
>
>
> Perhaps a format like BarCamp might be more suitable than Open Space?
>
> That format allows for prescription of topics beforehand and offers 
> the participants the opportunity to request topics they want to learn 
> more about or are willing to lead discussions about. It is a 
> derivative of open space, and is not open space but its not a bad 
> format for people who are not willing to relinquish their control to 
> the degree that open space requires.
>
> I think you are correct in your thinking that what they want is not 
> open space. So attempting to do open space with this group may be akin 
> to fitting a round peg in a square hole
>
> This message has been sent from my mobile device and therefore may be 
> somewhat wonky.
>
> Barry Owen
> Real Estate Strategist
> Principal Broker & Founder
> Pareto Realty, LLC
> 102 Woodmont Blvd Ste 242
> Nashville, TN 37205
> 615-568-2123
>
> http://BarryOwensBlog.com
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> twitter @barryowen @paretorealty
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>
> Pareto Realty is #NashvilleProud #HomeGrownRealEstate
>
> On Aug 7, 2015 5:34 AM, "Koos de Heer via OSList" 
> <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org 
> <mailto:oslist at lists.openspacetech.org>> wrote:
>
>     Dear Hege,
>
>     Filling the complete agenda beforehand is not something I would do
>     in Open Space. I do allow people to prepare topics beforehand if
>     they want to, but then these conveners have to put their topic on
>     the marketplace with all the others. For me, the power of Open
>     Space is in the present, in the now. The passion of the people at
>     that moment is what drives it. That moment when the invitation is
>     out and people come forward to write their topic on a piece of
>     paper is a very special moment, where the passion of NOW becomes
>     tangible. A pre-filled agenda does not fit in with that.
>
>     An interesting question of course is why they want to do it that
>     way. If only politicians can fill the agenda, then (at least in my
>     book) only the politicians can be participants. If they want the
>     people of the community to be participants, then everybody gets
>     the opportunity to fill the agenda together. If I understand yout
>     mail correctly, they want the community to participate but only
>     the politicians to create the agenda. There must be a reason for
>     that. Finding out that reason is important, because then you might
>     be able to show them that they are trying to take a long route to
>     their goal and that there may be a much better, more direct route.
>
>     Good luck
>
>     Koos
>
>     *Van:*OSList [mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org
>     <mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org>] *Namens *Hege
>     Steinsland via OSList
>     *Verzonden:* vrijdag 7 augustus 2015 11:56
>     *Aan:* World wide Open Space Technology email list
>     <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org
>     <mailto:oslist at lists.openspacetech.org>>
>     *Onderwerp:* [OSList] is OS apropriate to fill a structure
>
>     Dear list - colleague.
>
>     I´ve worked with Open Space on two occasions in the same
>     municipality, and they seem to enjoy and value it. I always work
>     with OS as a process with a pre meeting and a follow up meeting.
>
>     Now they have designed a new structure for how the politicians
>     should organize decision-making in order to let the politicians
>     govern more for real and have more interesting and meaningful
>     tasks. They want let the politicians be involved in filling the
>     structure with content, and want  to use OS for this purpose.
>
>     My question:
>
>     Is this open enough for an OS meeting? Is the structure simply the
>     givens and the question « how do we serve our community the best
>     within this structure» or something like that?
>
>     Or do we work better with World Cafe or other tools in this situation?
>
>     Do you have experience or advices to give me?
>
>     I wonder...
>
>     All the best from
>
>     Hege
>
>
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