I've been mulling over the BarCamp phenom and its relation to Open
Space. I'm starting to think there are 2 kinds of events:
Issue/Problem focused (classic Open Space)
Community-based (BarCamp = OS minus Focused Theme/Reports/Action Planning )
For ex: I'm starting to think maybe the theme for TorCamp is always the
same: Something like - building a more vibrant software community in
Toronto (the theme of the original TorCamp). In these, the right people
come because they are/want to be part of the community. The community
becomes whatever they bring, so it's the right stuff. We want them to
bring a variety of stuff, because it's not about focus but serendipity
and new connections...
New, raw thoughts. Got to run. Will check in to see what others think
and build on this.
btw: I'm running an exciting session today - not OS, but two different
retrospectives for an organisation: Cultural Retro followed by a Process
exercise called Value Stream Mapping (from the Lean Manufacturing
school). Tomorrow they begin to step into their improved future process! :-)
deb
Chris Corrigan wrote:
Sometimes the theme is important, for a certain focus, for work that
is directed to fairly concrete results. For open conferences though,
I can't remember the themes of any of the conferences I have been at,
let alone the ones in Open Space. It's interesting that despite weak
themes, people come anyway. Open Space is then perfect in this
situation. I always invite people in the opening circle to simply
connect with the energy that brought them to the gathering and see if
there is a compelling question that they are willing to host a
conversation around.
I have to admit a rather nagging frustration with conference
organizers who insist on action outcomes from meetings that are poorly
planned. There is nothing wrong with a conference being an open
learning experience. Conferences are not the same thing as organizing
meetings.
My basic template for OSOnOS is simply this: open space for 2.5
days. Whatever needs to happen will happen. At the OSonOS meetings
I have been a part of, it's the quality of the interaction that
matters, not the focus on notes, or action planning. Just being with
others, enjoying each other's company and learning a few new things is
enough for me.
In this case then, it makes all kinds of sense to have an invitation
that is light on the theme and heavy on the "look who is coming"
part. Having a website set up with an RSS feed to continue to update
people about the conference as the plan is unfolding is a useful
idea. As people confirm, you post their names to the site and it
inspires others to come. Once everyone is in the room, open space and
get out of the way. What could be simpler?
Chris
On 6/19/07, *Michael M Pannwitz* <[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
If you follow the admonition "never work harder than you have to"
(Practice of Peace) letting go of the idea of having a theme for the
WOSonOS might come easier...Open Space on Open Space rocks enough
for me
and all the OSonOS that I have been too have rocked or whatever
regardless of the theme or no theme.
Its different, however, if the business issue differs from "Open Space
on Open Space". Then it is the task of the sponsor and a planning
group
(best a crossection of the whole system that is to be invited)to
create
the theme. I have seen some great, inspiring themes emerge out of
sessions like that.
However, looking back, it seems to me that the act of finding a theme
(getting the act together) is much more significant for the Planning
Group and its task of writing an invitation for their event and
all the
other stuff they do
than the theme itself.
Greetings from Berlin to Toronto
mmp
Deborah Hartmann wrote:
> Bhavesh wrote
>>
>> ... I felt the theme wasn't particularly powerful or meaningful. It
>> may be better to have no theme, or to use this time more for
sharing
>> and exploring between OS facilitators.
>>
> I've been thinking a lot on this - the BarCamp community tends
also to
> have weak themes, and yet their events definitely rock.
>
> Are there two kinds of events? (or more?) I mean:
> a) to solve a given problem / explore a particular issue
> b) simply to build a community
>
> Themes can feel contrived for the second kind of event. However, I
> strongly believe that the theme is a key to "whoever comes is
the right
> people". So... how is a theme selected/constructed when there
seems to
> be no one common issue?
>
> Ex: RoCoCoCamp had a very weak theme... the organizers had a
really hard
> time coming up with one, and then it wasn't clearly articulated
or even
> consistently used in event invitations. But the event clearly
had a big
> impact, to read the blogs and news that came after.
>
> Anyone else thinking about this? What have you done in similar
situations?
>
> Thanks
> deb
>
> Deborah Hartmann
> Agile Process Coach
> deborah DOT hartmann DOT net
>
> "Learn the principle, abide by the principle, and dissolve the
> principle." -- Bruce Lee
>
> *
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--
CHRIS CORRIGAN
Facilitation - Training
Open Space Technology
Weblog: http://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot
Site: http://www.chriscorrigan.com
Principal, Harvest Moon Consultants, Ltd.
http://www.harvestmoonconsultants.com * *
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--
Deborah Hartmann
Agile Process Coach
deborah AT hartmann DOT net
mobile: fouronesix 996 4337
"Learn the principle,
abide by the principle, and
dissolve the principle."
-- Bruce Lee
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