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<FONT FACE="Times New Roman" DEFAULT="FACE"><FONT SIZE="3" POINTSIZE="12" DEFAULT="SIZE">Dear Kerry,<BR>
the length of the open space event does not appear to be directly related to other characteristics such as action plans.<BR>
No surprise for a complex adaptive system. Little linear correlation.<BR>
Here an example:<BR>
Last November, I worked with a group of some 36 facilitators (in the field of youth and children participation in planning public sector projects).<BR>
The evening before the open space event they gathered to find the theme (usually this is done many weeks or even months in advance).Those 36 people chose the theme "Reviving the democracy campaign" (this was a project that had been successful and fun a few years earlier).<BR>
Next morning, all 36 showed up, had some 16 issues and in the evening had a planning session (no stickydotting, just another mini os on what people wanted to move forward and take action on. My question here is: "Which proposals will get hands and feet and a head and a heart? ).<BR>
There were 9 action proposals with concrete steps.<BR>
They paid me my full fee and suggested that there would be a follow up meeting next year (2003).<BR>
Last week they met for the "traditional" follow up-meeting and asked me to come.<BR>
21 came (5 were new, had not been at the event).<BR>
7 of the original proposals were present, all had worked and new next steps were agreed upon.<BR>
The other 2 proposals not present sent reports on what had happened and that things were moving ahead.<BR>
<BR>
So much for a relationship between length and stickydotting and action planning.<BR>
<BR>
My feeling is that "voting" increases transparency, maybe, but does not have much impact on commitment.<BR>
Perhaps our focus on commitment, responsibility, follow up, motivation, and most certainly my role in realising implementation<BR>
are counterproductive. At least these things are more of the old medicine.<BR>
So what to do? <BR>
Give up control? <BR>
Some evidence suggests that this might be worth a try.<BR>
mmp<BR>
<BR>
ps: I have data on 2,5 day events of 100, 150, 200 people with action planning, including Delphi (those 55 dots) and bunching and follow up meetings with apparently much fewer concrete proposals than the event described above....that, however, would not mean, I suggest, that there are not lots of things happening that are not apparent to the onlooker, especially not the facilitator.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
On Sat, 8 Mar 2003 12:45:18 +0000, kerry napuk wrote:<BR>
<BR>
>Hi Listers<BR>
><BR>
>Fascinating discussion on convergence. It has focused me on the<BR>
>awesome challenge to translate creativity into action. In this<BR>
>sense, Open Space is a terrific platform to co-create future<BR>
>possibilities and generate consensus and energy behind proposed<BR>
>actions. Unfortunately, unless a facilitator is invited by the<BR>
>sponsor to continue working with participants, it is sometimes<BR>
>difficult to find out what actually happened after an event.<BR>
><BR>
>I agree with Peggy's view that it would be much better for actions to<BR>
>emerge from an event without a vote. Sadly, we have never<BR>
>facilitated anything beyond 1.5 days and have not experienced this<BR>
>possibility.<BR>
><BR>
>In short events, we feel the vote is critical to establish a<BR>
>departure point for things the participants felt were important. It<BR>
>seems essential for transparency and commitment, hopefully, leading<BR>
>to ownership and eventual implementation.<BR>
><BR>
>So, we encourage sponsors to ask participants at the end of an event<BR>
>to sign-up for more work to implement priorities, trying to keep the<BR>
>door open and energy flowing. Accordingly, we are stuck with dot<BR>
>voting, although it takes no more than 20 minutes for groups up to<BR>
>100 to vote and another 10 minutes to tally and announce results<BR>
>before going into a closing ceremony.<BR>
><BR>
>In the end, however, an event is the responsibility (ability to<BR>
>respond) of the participants and sponsor. The facilitator is very<BR>
>limited in realising implementation if there is not enough goodwill,<BR>
>commitment and motivation to take things forward,<BR>
><BR>
>Cheers<BR>
><BR>
>Kerry<BR>
>Open Futures<BR>
>Edinburgh<BR>
><FONT COLOR=0000ff><U>www.openfutures.com<FONT COLOR=000000 DEFAULT="COLOR"></U><BR>
>--<BR>
><BR>
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<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
Michael M Pannwitz<BR>
boscop<BR>
Draisweg 1<BR>
12209 Berlin, Germany<BR>
FON +49 - 30-772 8000 FAX +49 - 30-773 92 464<BR>
www.michaelmpannwitz.de<BR>
<BR>
An der E-Gruppe "openspacedeutsch" für deutschsprechende open space-PraktikerInnen interessiert? Enfach eine mail an mich. <BR>
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<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Michael M Pannwitz<br>
boscop<br>
Draisweg 1<br>
12209 Berlin, Germany<br>
FON +49 - 30-772 8000 FAX +49 - 30-773 92 464<br>
www.michaelmpannwitz.de<br>
<br>
An der E-Gruppe "openspacedeutsch" für deutschsprechende open space-PraktikerInnen interessiert? Enfach eine mail an mich.</HTML>
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