PLEASE NOTE: A number of links here have rotted over the years, and I will be gradually replacing and updating them in the next few weeks.
This collection of resources, notes, stories and references is intended to support facilitators and sponsors in convening and running Open Space Technology events. There are also resources here that may extend deeper learning in the four practice areas of opening, inviting, holding and grounding, and help you find ways to open and hold space in bigger ways.
An example of opening space
This is a longer form opening recorded at a provincial gathering of social service providers who were looking at addressing issues arising from the death of a young person in the care of the state. It is an example of my basic script, which has a few pieces to it:
- Acknowledging who is present
- Articulating the invitation
- Explaining the process
- Describing the principles
- Restating the invitation
- Opening the space
Opening the conversation
Use these resources for opening the conversation with sponsors and preparing yourself for facilitating OpenSpace events.
- The Chaordic Stepping Stones guide which will help you begin the conversation with the sponsor and especially focus on the necessity and purpose of the gathering
- Logistics Planning
- Open Space overview (.pdf) – A useful handout describing the process, including a scenario and links to resources.
Creating Invitations that rock.
Use these resources in working with sponsors to prepare invitations.
- Open Space Invitation Guide – a great resource by Michael Herman.
- Blog posts on invitation covering a wide range of practices and stories
Holding space and supporting emergence
Use these resources to understand the role of the facilitator, and to help plan and layout the space in which you will be working.
- Open Space Technology meeting planning page
- Sample session report form pdf – For handing out to session conveners
- Sample action planning session form (pdf) – For handing out to action champions
- Sample Open Space agendas with notes on how to plan and adjust times
Books and other resources
A collection of online books that support Open Space, including the first edition of Harrison Owen’s User’s Guide.
- Open Space Technology: A User’s Guide. by Harrison Owen. The original User’s Guide online for free, updated with photos.
- Open Space Technology: a User’s NON-guide edited by Chris Corrigan and Michael Herman
- The Tao of Holding Space by Chris Corrigan. A deeper reflection on facilitation practice
- Inviting Organization by Michael Herman.
- Tales From Open Space by Harrison Owen.
- A list of books in my library
Finally here is the world wide home of Open Space on the web.
- Open Space World – International community web site with links to hundreds of resources around the world.