Open Space Technology (OST)

An Approach That Works

Bruce Lundeen gets people talking, and collaborating. He is a professional facilitator, trained in helping individuals and organizations through a method called Open Space Technology (OST). Bruce was trained in OST facilitation in 2004 by its founder, Harrison Owen.

Open Space Technology (OST) is the way people used to discuss issues, reminiscent of the natural, open-minded discussions of tribal leaders and the framers of the U.S. Constitution enjoyed.

Open Space Technology (OST) 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 (OST) focuses on a particular objective or goal, and then has participants discuss all of the issues surrounding that topic (that are most important to participants), as well as solutions and action plans. The participants manage the process, as they gather in small groups, and then back to the larger group.

Open Space Technology (OST) is all about learning and dialogue, and conflict resolution. Diverse peoples – culturally, socially, and opinion-wise – all get a chance to contribute their experiences and their best ideas, and help create something new.

Open Space Technology can be used with nearly any type of group and issue, such as:

• community and civic meetings;
• communication issues and planning projects between people and groups;
• conferences and retreats, and meetings; and
• national and international dispute resolution (peacemaking).

The process is highly innovative and collaborative, and the results are surprising and refreshing. Everyone makes an investment in the process, and shares a stake in the outcome. The process works for very small groups up to thousands of people, and can use as little or as much technology as the group desires. The process is  structured and flexible at the same time.

The origin and principles of OST

In the words of its founder, Harrison Owen, Open Space Technology is based on Four Principles and One Law which guide behavior in Open Space. The principles are:

1) Whoever comes is the right people. The only requirement for participation is caring about the issue at hand. And, by showing up, that essential care is demonstrated.

2) Whatever happens is the only thing that could have, keeps people focused on the here and now, and eliminates all of the could-have-beens, should-have-beens or might-have-beens. What is is the only thing there is at the moment.

3) Whenever it starts is the right time alerts people to the fact that inspired performance and genuine creativity rarely, if ever, pay attention to the clock. They happen (or not) when they happen.

4) Lastly, When it’s over it’s over. In a word, don’t waste time. Do what you have to do, and when its done, move on to something more useful.

The Law is the so called “Law of Two Feet”, which states simply, if at any time you find yourself in any situation where you are neither learning nor contributing – use you two feet and move to some place more to you liking. Such a place might be another group, or even outside into the sunshine. No matter what, don’t sit there feeling miserable.

Owen remarks: “Many people have viewed the results as counter-intuitive, unbelievable, even magic. The results continue, however, in thousands of instances and 135 countries. But the “magic” is not Open Space Technology, but rather the force that underlies it – the power of self organization.”

Harrison Owen estimates that since 1983 more than 100,000 different “open space” meetings have taken place in more than 160 countries. The premise and use of Open Space Technology is detailed in “Open Space Technology: A User’s Guide”, by Harrison Owen. (Paperback: 192 pages, Berrett-Koehler Publishers; 3 edition (April 1, 2008), Language: English, ISBN 1576754766, ISBN 978-1576754764).

Refer to Owen’s web site for further details on OST.

Example: Community meetings – a series of “Summits” – have been held in Harrisonburg, VA

On Saturday, May 30, 2009,  Harrisonburg Mayor Kai Degner convened a Sustainability Summit with an Open Invitation for all to participate. (See link to Summit website and watch local media WHSV-TV video coverage.)

The meeting was co-facilitated by Bruce Lundeen using Open Space Technology as the conference methodology.  Attendees came from all over (including Washington, D.C.). In fact, 60 partner organizations participated.

These Summits focused on a wide range of topics of concern to the local community.  The last OST Summit – in this series – held on May 23, 2010, attracted a large influx of new participants and was indeed a turning point. The community has become familiar with OST as a process for dialogue, embracing its open-ended methodology – one that promotes self-organization and action based on the participants taking responsibility for issues of interest.

If you have an impending issue that’s complex where the stakes are high and the desire is strong, contact Bruce Lundeen. He can help your organization work through the situation and develop a creative, effective solution – using OST.

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Contact Information

Lundeen Associates, LLC.
Bruce E. Lundeen
279 Newman Ave.
Herrisonburg, VA 22801

Phone: (540) 383-4718
E-Mail: bruce ~at~ lundeenassociates.com