What is Open Space Technology?
Lisa Heft, Opening Space
‘Technology’ in this case means simply a tool; a process. Open Space is a method used around the world for convening fully participatory conferences, retreats and work meetings. It is also used to help people in high conflict situations communicate, and indeed, it is used for true peace work in places such as Northern Iraq, Israeli and Palestinian lands, Haiti, East Timor and Serbia. |
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Using Open Space one person can convene from 5 to over 2000 people for participatory decision-making, interdisciplinary task work and understanding each other across differences. In Open Space, teams, entire organizations, communities, and fusions of different groups work together more quickly; go deeper; break through to new thinking; appreciate each other in new ways. It’s a method you can teach yourself; workshops are also offered.
To read an article describing this process, read this ‘cover’ article on the home page of my website: www.openingspace.net
To see photos of typical Open Space events, click on the Gallery section in the upper-right-hand corner of these web pages or go to: www.openingspace.net/gallery/agora.cgi
To read more about the method and for further resources for facilitators and enthusiasts of Open Space, click on Open Space Technology / The Method on this website or go to: www.openingspace.net/openSpaceTechnology_method.shtml |
A deceptively simple process, it is essential to learn when to use Open Space and when not to, how to adjust the design for action planning, conflict resolution, or other variations, and why your intervening during an Open Space (if for example there is conflict in the group) can be the worst thing to do. It is also important to know what are the deliverables and the limitations of doing a short Open Space versus a one- or two-day Open Space.
You can read Harrison Owen’s book, “Open Space Technology: A User’s Guide” to learn about the method and the theory behind it. This book is available at a slight discount off the retail price through the Open Space institute of the US: www.openspaceworld.org/wiki/wiki/wiki.cgi?BooksAndVideos
As you read and learn feel free to ask me all the questions you may have - I am always happy to support you in your learning. If you wish to use Open Space I can share my materials with you and help coach you until you feel ready to just ‘jump in’ and convene a group or event using this method.The book is the first place to start - to learn the theory behind the method and to learn the basic method [If you have trouble accessing the book let me know and I can share some shorter articles by Harrison Owen with you via email].
After you read the book you may wish to go further: Visit www.openingspace.net to find free papers, materials and resources for anyone interested in learning about Open Space, interactive (student-centered / participatory / experiential) learning and facilitation. You will see that these materials are being translated into several languages so that anyone can use them; if you would like to add another language translation for any materials or papers please contact me: they are ours to share and make available to best serve more people.
And if you wish to add a more experiential learning experience, I offer workshops on the method once a year in San Francisco, California, USA - and if you wish you can also host me to teach this workshop in your own country or community.
The 2.5 day workshop is open to people of all levels of experience, from those new to the method or to convening groups - to those who want to share their experiences using Open Space and expand their learning. You will experience an Open Space plus share some rich learning about all the things you will want to know to convene your own Open Space event – from design and logistics, planning and preparation to invitation, theme, variations and talking with clients-hosts-sponsors.
Prices for the workshop are very flexible – several levels of pricing are recommended, however if you cannot afford those you can pay whatever you can. Money should never get in the way of learning and everyone is welcome. To receive information about this year’s workshop dates plus a registration and information form send me an email at lisaheft@openingspace.net - and to see a little more information about the content of this workshop see www.openingspace.net/workshops_openSpaceTechnology.shtml
I look forward to hearing from you.
Please contact me if I can offer you any support for the work that you do in workplace and community – I offer Open Space facilitation and training, consultation on interactive learning, and training of trainer-educators so both curriculum and presentation include less lecturing and more participant-centered learning.
Lisa Heft, Opening Space
Lisa Heft is an international consultant, facilitator and Master Level interactive learning specialist serving businesses, organizations and communities since 1974. She has presented, consulted, and facilitated conferences, retreats and meetings, evaluated curriculum and trained trainers in Brazil, South Africa, Switzerland, Canada, Zambia, Germany, Australia, Spain, Denmark, Thailand and the USA. She has also written papers and training materials used by Open Space facilitators around the world and translated into several languages. Clients include the U.S. Department of Labor / Department of Transportation, the International AIDS Conferences, GlaxoSmithKline, U.S. Scholar-Athlete Games, FioCruz ( Brazil), and the President’s Commission on National and Community Service. She is Board Vice President, Open Space Institute ( USA) a member of the International Association of Facilitators and the Ethics Practitioners Association of Canada. |
