Larry - sometimes "best guesses" are wildly astray. I remember when Michael Pannwitz and I took on the 2108 German Psychiatrists our "best Guess" was 150 issues. Folks actually generated 234, I think. That was a little bit of a scramble, but it all worked perfect as usual.
Harrison Harrison Owen 189 Beaucaire Ave Camden, ME 04843 207-763-3261 (Summer) 301-365-2093 (Winter) Website www.openspaceworld.com Personal Website www.ho-image.com OSLIST To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options <http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html> http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html _____ From: OSLIST [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Larry Peterson Sent: Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:58 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: How many break-out spaces Shikha, Ashley and HO: I usually assume 7 per 100, except in lower numbered events. Even with 10-15 folks, I go with a minimum of 3 breakouts. I also plan for the same number of computers as breakouts. It depends in part on clients and my assumptions about the possible emergent leadership in the group. At the wall, sometimes all of the post-its are taken at first and then some are put back on the "grid" as the group self-organizes and combines some topics for discussion. I often put up extra meeting spaces and cover them with paper until its clear that they are needed. This encourages topics to be spread through the time frame of the event. I'm always prepared for more discussion groups that my best guess. Encouraging emergent leadership around the theme, to me, is important, without setting up to many expectations. The space/time slots for meetings are there or they get created on the spot as needed. Larry Larry Peterson & Associates in Transformation Toronto, Ontario, Canada mailto:[email protected] 416.651.6913 http//:www.spiritedorg.com From: OSLIST [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Harrison Owen Sent: August-21-08 8:29 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: How many break-out spaces Shikha - You are not very far from that old question of "Optimal Group Size." Some said six. Some say 12. . . My own experience is that the optimal size is whatever works, and that depends. I have seen groups of 3 that were a disaster and groups of 70 that were marvels of inclusion and communication. My conclusion: Only the people can tell, and figuring groups size is one more thing I don't have to do. I guess I would put "clustering cards" under the same heading. I know the people who do what I think is called Participatory Technology, developed by ICA - do that, but every time I found myself in one of their gatherings it seemed to me that it all took much too long and never came out "right" anyhow, for the simple reason that only the people knew the issues well enough to know what went with which. Harrison Harrison Owen 189 Beaucaire Ave Camden, ME 04843 207-763-3261 (Summer) 301-365-2093 (Winter) Website www.openspaceworld.com Personal Website www.ho-image.com OSLIST To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options <http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html> http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html _____ From: OSLIST [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Shikha Shrestha Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 11:34 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: How many break-out spaces Hi, I feel that it is hard for us to determine the number of participants, as the people themselves choose the group they want to join in. The number of groups that we can manage at one time slot depends on our venue, how much groups that can be managed. We do not need very formal space but just a space for people to talk and share. In most cases, having at least table or flipchart is helpful to write their notes and that is visible to all in the group. It is not mandatory though! In the number of people in each group, I also agree that 5-6 people per group is the best but as facilitator we cannot determine the number so i suggest you not be worried and let the session be chaotic so that people feel the warmth of informality and do feel comfortable in sharing. In some cases, if there are too many cards than we can handle but I tried using the method of clustering the uniform cards together. But, we should be very much careful in not clustering the cards that are not similar or carry different meaning. It is only the last thing that can be done. Hope it helps, Shikha On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 2:48 AM, ashley cooper <[email protected]> wrote: Thanks Doc and Harrison. So all we have to do is remember to KISS every experience we have. I love it! On Wed, Aug 20, 2008 at 3:53 PM, Harrison Owen <[email protected]> wrote: Spaces - my rule of thumb is 5 (SPACES) per 100 people. Same ratio for computers. KISS. Keep it simple S. Something I can remember and it always seems to work. ho Harrison Owen 189 Beaucaire Ave Camden, ME 04843 207-763-3261 (Summer) 301-365-2093 (Winter) Website www.openspaceworld.com Personal Website www.ho-image.com OSLIST To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options <http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html> http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html _____ From: OSLIST [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Tenneson Woolf Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 10:49 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: How many break-out spaces Hey Ashley, My experience is one for every 5-6 people. If the group is small, 12ish, I have a few more. If the group is large, for me 120ish, I have a few less. And, I just invite people to create another space if we run out. I'm always happy to observe that when topics are called from that place of passion and responsibility, walls in breakout rooms become less important. Corners of rooms work fine. I wonder what you've learned, the Ashley formula? Hugs. Tenneson Woolf Lindon, Utah USA [email protected] skype: tenneson_woolf 801 785 2276 801 376 2213 Cell _____ From: OSLIST [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of ashley cooper Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 7:53 AM To: [email protected] Subject: How many break-out spaces Hello, I still haven't mastered the ease of searching our archives... so please forgive my repetition. Do you use a 'formula' for estimating out how many break-out areas based on the number of participants? 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