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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Kas -- Who knows whether you are at the beginning, middle or end? But you are here, and it is nice to see you online! The discussion actually started with a note from me about an article in The New Yorker (See “Space, Wonderful Space!”) – and although brainstorming was the starting point of the article (the author was quite critical), his major emphasis dealt with the nutrient powers of creative space. My phrase, but I loved what he had to say…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>And – your remarks about brainstorming got me thinking about that one too. I do confess that 35 years ago I was quite the brainstorming fan. At the time I was CEO of a healthcare infrastructure development program which gave out some grant money and supported programs aimed at making life healthier on Long Island, NY. The key to the whole thing was not so much about the money or the programs, but rather the conversations that were initiated between the multiple facets of the Health Care System. “System” is used with caution – if only because the central issue was that folks did not talk to each other, at least about anything that was substantive. Docs talked to Docs, Public Heath lived in its own corner, etc. Pretty much the same thing is true today! So how to have some good substantive conversations? To get things started we put multiple millions (of $$’s) on the table and invited the folks to identify projects that really needed doing, organize same, and then get on with the business. But behind it all was the total necessity for really good conversations. Which was actually the most important part.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>In the beginning, the conversations were sterile and basically useless. Just the normal “Board room” stuff. I felt there had to be a better way and one day I ran into brainstorming. Not a doubt about it. Really created a buzz! But (as you noted) once you got all those brain spasms out on the table, where did you go from there? Since we were very much a part of the scientific and medical community – things had to look like “science” which meant “prioritization and refinement” all done in a logical fashion. Brainstorming was fun, but it surely didn’t meet those criteria. The next act came from the West Coast (Brainstorming was a Mad Ave phe-nom) – with the auspicious title, Nominal Group Process or “The Delphi Technique” – the gift of one Andrew Delbecq. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>The Delphi technique starts out pretty much like brainstorming – throw out the issues with no critique! The next step was to prioritize, and Andrew came up with a very neat way of weighted voting that did the job, produced real numbers, and even bar graphs! My “science friends” just loved it. Lots of issues, real number, pictures, and Priority Order! But of what? And What next?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>We tried a lot of things – mostly in the “small group discussion” mode. But at the end of the day, stuff happened in the way it had always happened – at the margins, in the coffee breaks. So we always kept the coffee pots full, and on occasion added some “bar time” to our gatherings. This was a little difficult to do since we were a federally funded program, but fortunately we had some “local” funding and an understanding auditor. So for the difficult times, the Bar was open and deals got done.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>What I came to realize was that folks really didn’t understand what they were talking about until they started to talk. So it was true, we had all the issues in a lovely ranked, priority order, but truthfully nobody really understood what they were involved with until they seriously became involved – in conversation. And there was absolutely no way to “program all that.” It happened when it happened and as it happened. Good things did occur (issues addressed, innovative programs initiated) but frankly I didn’t have a clue how or why all that occurred. But clearly it had nothing to do (little to do) with brainstorming, The Delphi Technique, least of all my skill as an executive/facilitator. Although, of course, I would never admit all that. </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:#1F497D'>J</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>That was the situation for the next 10-15 years through a variety of programs in and out of the Federal Government. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>And then along came Open Space. As you have undoubtedly heard, Open Space Technology was NOT a carefully planned, researched approach. Two Martinis is about right! But it happened. And as things became a little clearer, and the dust settled it became apparent that essentially everything that happened (was supposed to happen) in brainstorming and/or The Delphi Technique, happened equally in Open Space. Issues were placed on the table – without judgment or critique – but once things got started, people with the passion and the responsibility clarified what they were talking about (and/or came to understand that it was a non-issue) – and then got deeply into the substance. There was/is a superficial linearity about the whole thing – but basically everything was happening all at once, everywhere and at the same time – well more or less. Confusing for sure (to the outsiders) but it seemed to make perfect sense to all involved. But most important, the conversations were real, intense, and substantive – and when feasible – actionable.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I still have a warm spot in my heart for good old brainstorming as well as the gift of Andrew Delbecq. At the time, they were serious breakthroughs and clearly head and shoulders above alternative approaches – which were largely top-down, senior management commanding a subservient gang. But when it comes down to simple efficiency and effectiveness neither can hold a candle to Open Space. By the time the brain was storming and the oracle (of Delphi) had spoken, a typical Open Space gathering is deeply involved in useful conversation and usually well on the way to functional solutions. Or so I have found. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Harrison <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Harrison Owen<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>7808 River Falls Dr.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Potomac, MD 20854<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>USA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>189 Beaucaire Ave. (summer)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Camden, Maine 20854<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Phone 301-365-2093<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>(summer) 207-763-3261<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.openspaceworld.com"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>www.openspaceworld.com</span></a><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.ho-image.com"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>www.ho-image.com</span></a><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> (Personal Website)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Consolas;color:#1F497D'>To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of OSLIST Go to:</span><a href="http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org"><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Consolas;color:blue'>http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org</span></a><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Consolas;color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> <a href="mailto:oslist-bounces@lists.openspacetech.org">oslist-bounces@lists.openspacetech.org</a> [<a href="mailto:oslist-bounces@lists.openspacetech.org">mailto:oslist-bounces@lists.openspacetech.org</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Kas Neteler<br><b>Sent:</b> Saturday, February 04, 2012 12:02 PM<br><b>To:</b> World wide Open Space Technology email list<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [OSList] brainstorming and open space<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>Dear Kerry, <br><br>I'm not sure if this is a start of a thread or if I am missing some critical info. I want to offer you a different perspective. <br><br>I have seen and heard of too many badly designed brainstorm sessions that end just as you have described: a group of people not ready to take responsibility for what they "created". What I often see is that the process butchered -- leaving the group without the proper tools to create and implement strategy. Crucial steps are missing to take a group from brainstorming to strategy to implementation. I suggest you are missing valuable steps between brainstorming and voting. <br><br>Before you bring brainstorming out of the tool kit -- ask, why are we doing this? If the WHY is that you need divergent thinking then we can move forward. This is similar to selecting Open Space as a technique -- first ask WHY are we doing this and if its the proper fit move forward.<br><br>WHAT is brainstorming but idea generation of raw data around a specific goal. That's it... it's opening a space, stating your goal, and allowing a flood of ideas to come forward (no one should feel they need to take responsibility at this time -- you want to avoid barriers to innovation). It's best accomplished with a diverse set of stakeholders. Like OS where the right people will attend (and invitation is key!!!) -- this takes similar effort to make sure the different perspectives of the group are in the room AND if not, that role playing helps to bring those ideas forward.<br><br>I will hold back on describing actual brainstorm techniques -- this is something I can seriously geek out over (feel free to contact me directly) and really depends on creating the appropriate method for each group. <br><br>No matter what version of brainstorming happens the end result is raw data. The next steps are super critical: stepping back looking for emerging patterns and organizing to see what the picture is once you take into account the group's resources vs. the impact. Taking time to reflect and synthesize -- going back if anything is missing. Like OS -- finding those in the room who are passionate enough to champion ideas. Now you have enough info to sketch out the group's strategy and formulate an actionable plan. <br><br>I am drawn to both brainstorming and Open Space for their similar qualities: getting folks together to be free to discuss, ask questions, be heard, listen intently, reflect ... and ultimately come away with a sense of connection to the project at hand and more importantly each other. <br><br>Best of luck with your endeavors. <br><br>--> Kas<br>Emeryville, USA<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>On Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 4:03 PM, Kerry Napuk <<a href="mailto:knapuk@gmail.com">knapuk@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>Hi Harrison<br><br>For me brainstorming is a waste of time, because nobody takes ownership or responsibility for what they blurt out. In Open Futures we used a giant mind map and then voted on priorities of items proposed by up to 60 participants.<br><br>Open Space runs on passion and responsibility, two vital things I would never accuse brainstormers of.<br><br>Cheers<br><br>Kerry<br>Edinburgh<br><br>_______________________________________________<br>OSList mailing list<br>To post send emails to <a href="mailto:OSList@lists.openspacetech.org">OSList@lists.openspacetech.org</a><br>To unsubscribe send an email to <a href="mailto:OSList-leave@lists.openspacetech.org">OSList-leave@lists.openspacetech.org</a><br>To subscribe or manage your subscription click below:<br><a href="http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org" target="_blank">http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><br><br clear=all><br>-- <br>Kas Neteler<br>MBA, Sustainable Enterprise<br><a href="mailto:kasneteler@gmail.com" target="_blank">kasneteler@gmail.com</a><br><br><a href="http://www.tofighthiv.org/site/TR/AIDSLIFECYCLE11/AIDSLifeCycleCenter?px=1168447&pg=personal&fr_id=1440" target="_blank"><span style='color:#FF6600'>I'm cycling from SF to LA June 3 - 9, 2012 to help end AIDS. Click to donate and learn more about my journey. </span></a><o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>