What if you could identify a mission-critical issue for your organization, bring together the people with something to contribute and something at stake, focus on that issue and take decisive action all in the same meeting? A fantasy? Not with the application of Open Space Technology. Open Space Technology is a methodological tool that enables self-organizing groups of all sizes to deal with hugely complex issues in a very short period of time. Authored by the originator of Open Space Technology, Open Space Technology: A User's Guide details what needs to be done before, during, and after an Open Space event. It is the most authoritative book available on how to plan and run a successful Open Space event. This 3rd edition adds a survey of the current status of Open Space Technology around the world, an updated section on the latest available technology for report writing (a key aspect of the Open Space process), and an updated list of resources.
Open Space Technology
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Browse our Bookshelf Favorites store for big savings on popular fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Harrison Owen is the president of H.H. Owen and Co. and the author of The Power of Spirit, The Spirit of Leadership, and Expanding Our Now: The Story of Open Space Technology.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Harrison Owen, the creator of the facilitation concept of "open space", has written a fabulous user guide for anyone wishing to attempt this process. Not only does he outline in detail the nitty-gritty of effectively running a one to three day conference using this technique, but he also describes his own experience utilizing "open space". His stories are truly inspiring and do an excellent job of demonstrating the power of this method. I was especially impressed by the way he drew on several native american and west african philosophies to shape aspects of the facilitation.
Having participated in open space workshops, I had a good grasp of the idea and could easily picture what he described. For others who have not yet had that experience, reading another of his books, Tales from Open Space, might also be useful as it goes into more historical detail of the evolution of Owen's work and gives additional anecdotes.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
When I particpated in my first Open Space, a friend told me to trust the process. At first glance, Open Space seems not to make a lick of sense or too "airy fairy" to work. Its a powerful process I've used this book as a guide to help me facilitate many Open Space sessions.
I highly recommend this book if you want to facilite Open Space---it provides many good ideas for before, during and after the session, covers when and when not to use Open Space, and gives the would-be facilitor the mind- and heart-set to facilitate Open Space well. I would not recommend faciltiating Open Space without first experiencing it.
I've used Open Space with churches, as a partnership-building experience, in organizational change, and in forming national government programs---in the right hands and at the right time, Open Space is a powerful process---this book gives you tools to facilitate it. Use it wisely and well!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A highly recommended book for both personal and community library business collections
July 11, 2008
Format:Paperback
Organizing meetings can be a bit of an arduous task when the amount of participants reaches nearly two thousand. "Open Space Technology: A User's Guide" introduces a new concept for businesses to follow known as open space technology, where groups can self-organize in a short amount of time. To implement the technique into one's business, "Open Space Technology" lays out a step by step guide including all the resources one needs to get ideas off the ground. The third edition features a survey of open space technology's current usage around the world and an updated list of resources. A highly recommended book for both personal and community library business collections.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Excellent Introduction... but...
"Open Space Technology" is an extremely powerful tool that has to be experienced to be fully appreciated, understood, and implemented. Read more
Published 1 month ago by ChazPhilip
3.0 out of 5 stars
Love Open Space but book could be better
I am a big fan of the Open Space approach and have used it many times over the year. But this book didn't quite meet my expectations. Read more
Published 2 months ago by mix579
5.0 out of 5 stars
Low-Cost Priceless Guide Worth Hundreds of Thousands
It's been my pleasure to know the author of this book ever since he hunted me down after my review of Wave Rider: Leadership for High Performance in a Self-Organizing World, and I... Read more
Published on October 24, 2010 by Robert David STEELE Vivas
4.0 out of 5 stars
How to benefit from lots of people
Most organizations are full of lots of varied, intelligent people, with experience to contribute if only you could find a way to gather their contributions. Read more
Published on March 1, 2010 by T. Harris
5.0 out of 5 stars
Creating Space for Dialogue and Action
How many conferences or seminars have you been to where the most stimulating parts were the coffee break discussions between sessions? Read more
Published on February 21, 2010 by Keith E. Webb
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book can be your cornerstone for creating a Learning...
I have successfully organized and facilitated several Open Space workshops using this as my "go-to" resource. Read more
Published on January 7, 2010 by Jim M.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Action from Chaos
For some time I've been interested in how to effectively tackle complex problems. While I've picked up and learnt techniques and approaches myself over the last few years, it was... Read more
Published on December 20, 2009 by Martin Erasmuson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Useful handbook of a counterintuitive approach
Open Space Technology is nearly identical to the "unconference" approach to workshop and event planning that's currently fashionable (see "Foo Camp" or "Bar Camp" or many other... Read more
Published on March 2, 2007 by Andrew Otwell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bible of Open Space
This is a very good hand-book for open space newcomers.Easy to understand and easy to read.I strongly suggest this book for anybody who want to start learning open space technology
Published on July 11, 2006 by Serdar Yurdakul
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the most valuable books in the world
As Brookings revealed in 2000, most of the world's 10000 biggest organisations don't yet have the measures to govern the vast majority of value now produced in services and... Read more
Published on December 26, 2003 by Christopher Macrae
