OpenSpaces for the Enterprise Architecture Summit 2004
What is OpenSpace?
OpenSpace is a small set of rules that allow groups of people to interact in a simple, productive, organized way to create valuable dialogs that address participant's most important issues.
- Whoever shows up is the right group
- Whatever happens is the only thing that could have
- Whenever it starts is the right time
- When it's over, it's over.
OpenSpace is essentially a simple methodology for self-organizing conference tracks. It relies on the participations of people with a passion for the topics to be discussed. There is no preplanned list of topics, only time slots and a space in the main meeting room where interested participants propose topics, pick time slots and try to get folks to sign up for their talks.
We will meet in the main meeting room between OpenSpace sessions to further refine the upcoming sessions, and to kick off the next session.
OpenSpace has been used for conferences and as a facilitation technique for company meetings, community organizations, and other groups that wish to explore the emergent ideas and agendas of their members.
Prepare to be surprised by the depth and breadth of topics that are discussed in OpenSpace. Each OpenSpace experience is unique in some way. Quite often topics are raised in OpenSpace that are off the radar of the original meeting -- this spontaneity is part of the benefit.
I want to present an OpenSpace Talk:
- Come up with an interesting topic and title for your presentation or discussion.
- Decide how long it will take to present this topic (in 30 minute increments)
- Fill out a schedule card for your topic
- Place the topic on the schedule. Combine similar talks as appropriate.
- Get people to sign up for your topic.
- 'Horse Trade' slots to ensure maximum dialog and participation.
- If we run out of slots, be generous and donate some of your slot to someone else if you have taken more than 30 minutes.
I want to attend an OpenSpace Talk:
- Check the schedule and sign up for a talk or just drop in if you wish
- Use the 'Law of two feet.' If you feel that you are not contributing or benefiting from a presentation, please feel free to move on to something else.
- Allow the presenter to steer his or her topic. If you have an opposing opinion that needs a full time slot you should feel free to add your own OpenSpace slot to discuss the topic.
Adapted from PyCon 2004
