There are six questions that people often ask when considering the use of OST.
Question 1: How can I make sure
that certain topics get discussed?
You can't, so either let go of your expectations or don't use Open Space Technology.
Question 2: Many of the
participants will have no experience of facilitating meetings. Will this be a problem?
It is rarely a make-or-break issue. Session convenors will almost always rise to the
challenge and do a good job, regardless of their level of facilitation experience.
Question 3: What if no one
steps forward to offer a session?
In the entire history of Open Space this has never happened, and there's little likelihood
of it ever occurring in the future.
Question 4: What if people
propose sessions that are unrelated to the theme?
Trust the process. People will only attend any session if they think it is a worthwhile
use of their time.
Question 5: What if someone
proposes a session that's outrageous or taboo?
Most organisations have family secrets and undiscussable issues. Open Space provides a
safe space for these to be brought into the open and discussed in a mature way. If a
"Space Invader" should try to hijack the proceedings the facilitator will gently
intervene.
Question 6: How will we ensure
that the ideas are implemented?
This is one of the main challenges when using any large group intervention method, and
there is no easy answer. Martin Leith, a consultant with extensive OST experience,
recently (May 1997) designed an action teams process and tested it with one of his
clients, with promising results. Here's how it works. Following the final round of Open
Space sessions the large group meets to summarise and prioritisation action points.
Participants then organise themselves into action teams. Each action team appoints a
co-ordinator who is accountable to the sponsor (e.g. chief executive) for good stewardship
of the resources that are made available. All action team co-ordinators become members of
the action coordination team which keeps track of developments and makes regular reports
to all action team members and to the sponsor. One of the co-ordinators is appointed
"co-ordinator of the coordinators", who provides the sponsor with a single point
of contact.