Open Space Planning — Smashing Stereotypes
July 28th, 2003 by Hal
We've all learned the behavior that is required of participants to be effective in planning sessions. My 'rules' for that behavior have been:
- Good planning sessions have an agenda.
- Good planning sessions stay on schedule.
- Good planning sessions stay on topic.
- Good planning sessions are facilitated.
What other rules do you follow for your planning sessions?
When Coachville set out to do their business planning they wanted nothing less than their usual remarkability! They chose open space as an environment for engaging the whole of the participants.
The purpose of the planning session was to look at what Coachville could be doing to create exceptional coaches. In one way, we came together as strangers. 40 people were invited to attend Coachville's Certified Coaching Intensive. Most of us knew a few people, only a few knew a majority. None of us had worked this way with each other. In a other way, we couldn't have been more aligned around a purpose.
We started with Nina East establishing a context of 'general truths'. They were:
- Everyone who comes (to the session) must be passionate about the topic and willing to take some responsibility for creating things out of their passion.
- Every person in every situation is having an impact, whether they know it or not.
- Chaos and business work well together.
We operated according to four principles (simple rules):
- Whoever comes is the right people.
- Whatever happens is the only thing that could have (happened).
- Whenever it starts is the right time.
- Whenever it's over, it's over.
And one law:
The law of two feet: Step up; move on; arrive where your interests take you.
So what happened? If I told you, I'd have to…nah. In just five hours the 40 of us tackled 15 topics of interest to us by following the above few simple rules with no third-party facilitation. As individuals, we moved from one space to another contributing as we saw fit evolving the topic as we listened and spoke. I was surprised, no amazed, by the depth and scope of what we accomplished together. I can say by starting with alignment to purpose autonomous interested/committed agents produced what is not possible by pursuing an agenda in the usual format.
What did I learn? Organic processes produce far superior results than my usual well-crafted and facilitated agendas. And…I left the session with more energy than I had when I arrived!
Next up, project planning sessions in open space…anyone want to try?
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