Wikepedia

Burning Question is Key for an Open Space Meeting

A good question has …

• “How might we…”

• No solution in the question

• Big goal that is open enough for different solutions to emerge

• Invite participants to pitch their idea for one minute

• Write the idea and your name on a piece of paper

• Facilitator will give you a space to meet

Open Space Principles

• Whoever comes are the right people

• Whatever happens is the only thing that could have happened.

• The ideas put forward are the right ideas

Traditional Unstructured/Open Space

Agenda is pre-set Participants set the agenda

Presenter talking “at” you:

usually expert model

Driven by the “pitcher” – no

expert

PPT driven Discussion based

People around table or

behind

Sitting in a circle with no table

All presentations and room

spoken for

Encouraged to strike up an

impromptu group discussion

Structured that participants

can’t leave session

Participants encouraged to

find the right session

Planner driven Participant driven

Information sharing Connection to Action

Sit through the session (at all

cost)

Law of 2 feet. Find the right

conversation.

Postcard: A way to record at each conversation

Dot vote the top three sessions at

end of open space meeting.

You Should Try it!

Marlies van Dijk

@tweetvandijk