Open Space Technology
Self-organized conference method by Harrison Owen.
PURPOSE
Traditional conference formats with fixed agendas and presentations underutilize the knowledge and energy of participants. Open Space Technology enables self-organized, passion-driven discussions on topics that truly matter to participants. It creates room for emergence and surprising results that wouldn't arise with predetermined agendas.
HOW TO USE
The event begins in a circle where any participant can propose a topic they care about. The proposed topics are placed on a marketplace with assigned times and rooms. Participants freely choose which sessions to attend, with the Law of Two Feet applying: anyone who isn't learning or contributing switches groups.
WHAT IT IS
Open Space Technology is a self-organized conference method developed by Harrison Owen for groups of 5 to 2,000 people. It is based on four principles and one law: Whoever comes are the right people, whatever happens is the only thing that could have happened, it starts when the time is right, and when it's over it's over. The Law of Two Feet states that every participant is responsible for going where they learn or contribute the most.
EXAMPLE
Example: Your company is planning a two-day barcamp for 100 employees on the topic of 'Future of Work.' With Open Space Technology, there is no fixed agenda — instead, participants propose their own sessions and assign them to a time grid. The 'Law of Two Feet' allows everyone to switch sessions when they're not contributing or learning.
WHEN TO USE
PREREQUISITES
- A genuine, open guiding question
- Leadership tolerating loss of control
- Skill: The open space stance (letting go!)
- Skill: Setting the frame
⚠️ WATCH OUT
- Pseudo-openness: pre-set topics undermine the format instantly
- Common mistake: Curating topics anyway
- Common mistake: Not explaining the law of two feet
💡 SUCCESS FACTORS
- Keep it truly open — the important topics find their space themselves