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SeCtion tWo Change approaches & management tools
Use
Stages in an Open-Space event
1. Set conditions for self-organising: The stage is set by announcing the conference theme. Participants are instructed that there will be small group discussions run by participants themselves, addressing any topic they believe critical to the theme. Two sets of norms are established:
a. ‘law of two feet’ – moving between groups is encouraged, participants stay only if they are interested, learning or contributing; and
b. ‘four principles’ – the people who attend are the right people (the contribution counts, not who said it); whatever happens is the only thing that could have (responsibility for what happens); whenever it starts is the right time (creativity); and when it’s over, it’s over (freedom to move on)
2. Create an agenda: participants suggest topics related to the conference theme. This process continues until all topics have been identified. All topics are collected and displayed along with locations – times to meet and discuss. Participants sign up to as many topics as they wish. The person announcing the topic convenes as agreed
3. Coordinate activity: as events happen, convenors summarise discussions/ recommendations/actions proposed and make these available in a central ‘newsroom’ to encourage further reflection
Strengths and limitations
The approach is designed to focus the attention and energy of participants who make up a whole system to developing shared changes in vision, strategy and culture. It is well suited to large scale system-wide change, or in addressing a major change in the operating environment. Practical difficulties include the need to suspend service delivery for the time required to stage the event, especially where services are provided to vulnerable clients.
In relation to social care change, Open-Space events can be a good way to bring together people accessing services, carers, staff and other stakeholders and generating constructive discussions. If facilitated well they can lead to better understanding of other’s positions and be an opportunity to strengthen collaboration and trust.
Further reading
Elenum T (2012) Open space as a knowledge metaphor and a knowledge sharing intervention, Knowledge Management Research & Practice, 10, 1, 55–63.
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