Open Space Technology Initiative Writing

I thought I would share my introduction to our first experience with Open Space Technology. For those of you not familiar with OST is “is a simple way to run productive meetings, for five to 2000+ people, and a powerful way to lead any kind of organization, in everyday practice and extraordinary change.”

Open Space Technology Initative Writing Exercise (Note that summaries of the OST principles came from OST resources)

Welcome Everyone!

“Our theme for this gathering is to talk, collaborate and write initiatives for the Academy’s Strategic Plan.  Over the course of the afternoon, we are going to develop our best thoughts around the issues and opportunities associated with our theme. Each of you is invited to draft initiatives for our plan. I want you to keep in mind that you should strive whenever possible to write initiatives that you or your cohort (department, division, team etc) will be directly associated with. That is not to say that we cannot take advantage of the creative potential of this group but that whenever possible, it is wise to generate initiatives that you feel you will have some direct role in.  We want you to know that while we cannot guarantee that every initiative that is drafted today will make its way into the final action plan, we can guarantee that a sub-committee will be charged with reviewing it and giving it full consideration.

As we start, I want you to notice that there is no specific agenda and there is no one in charge. I am serving as the facilitator of this process and nothing more. There are 4 principles to OST and one law.

Whoever comes are the right people. Whatever happens is the only thing that could have. Whenever it starts is the right time. When it is over, it is over. The first principle reminds everyone of the obvious fact that those of us present are the only ones here. Whatever gets done will get done by us, or not at all. There is little point, therefore in worrying about all those who should have come, might have come, but didn’t come. It is essential to concentrate on those of us who ARE here.

The second principle is yet another statement of the obvious. Given the theme or task at hand and the people in attendance, whatever happens is the only thing that could have. If we were to change the people, time, place, or theme, and something different would result.

If you are wondering at all with is the deal with Open Space Technology and clearly it is a new approach for Worcester Academy, it is not untried. Groups all over the world, some as large as 400, regularly create their own agendas for multi-day meetings in less than one hour. They then proceed to self-manage the whole affair. While this is not a contest, there is no reason for you to do less well than those who have gone before you.”

Lastly the one and only law of OST is the rule of two feet. It is a law only in the sense that all participants must observe it or the process will not work. We call it the Law of Two Feet. Briefly stated, this law says that every individual has two feet, and must be prepared to use them. Responsibility for a successful outcome in any Open Space Event resides with exactly one person — each participant. Individuals can make a difference and must make a difference. If that is not true in a given situation, they, and they alone, must take responsibility to use their two feet, and move to a new place where they can make a difference. This departure need not be made in anger or hostility, but only after honoring the people involved and the space they occupy. By word or gesture, indicate that you have nothing further to contribute, wish them well, and go and do something useful.

Review Format of afternoon and materials:
Room setup – each goal and corresponding strategy is broken out by individual table. You will notice that they are labeled and will have at them a copy of the strategy as well as the initiative writing template.
I would ask that you look at the handout each of you has received; it contains a copy of the plan in its entirety as well as a set of guidelines for writing initiatives.
(Review both)
Thank you for being here. And thank you for participating. If anyone wishes to remain at the end, we can spend some time debriefing the afternoon and the process.

Note – Close to 65 faculty and staff participated. The event was over in under 2 hours and over 100 initiatives were written. initial feedback was positive and on the whole, people enjoyed the exercise.

Photo Credit: Laughing Squid