Hi Craig. During the 12 years that I've been working with Open Space I've never had the luxury of a third day, so I've developed a short action planning process that can be run at the end of the first or second day. I recently used it as part of a three hour (sic) Open Space in Ireland with 220 healthcare managers. Yes, from briefing to project teams and action plans in three hours, with two periods of Open Space along the way. Sound crazy, but we did it. If you'd like to check out the process, go to http://www.theinnovationagency.com/openspace/actionteams.html for full details. The key to successful implementation is, I believe, the co-ordination team. If you know Stafford Beer's viable system model then the co-ordination team provides what Beer calls 'System two' - the connectivity between the different action teams, and between the action teams and the formal management system. This ensures that the projects are part of the mainstream management agenda, receive management attention and are part of the budget allocation process. It also makes sure that the teams aren't unknowingly competing for resources.
Hoe this is useful. Wishing you well in your adventures, Martin Leith The Innovation Agency Limited Brighton, United Kingdom http://www.theinnovationagency.com
