designing with dialogue 2: open space

Designing with DialogueCreating Communitywith Open Space

October 16, 2008Strategic Innovation Lab, Toronto

Greg JudelmanBruce Mau Design

Peter Jones, PhDRedesign Research

SESSION 2

mailto:[email protected]




Complex problems are bigger than we are. To design we must engage collective wisdom.

» Complex problems (like our organizations) have multiple stakeholders and require a move from conflict to understanding to consensus

» Isolated solutions are insufficient

» Stakeholders must own transformation initiatives

» Diverse viewpoints & needs must be considered in design

» We, as designers, must listen.

DESIGNING WITH DIALOGUE: CREATING COMMUNITY WITH OPEN SPACE STRATEGIC INNOVATION LAB, OCTOBER 16, 2008

WHY ARE WE HERE?

GENERATIVE

DEMOCRATIC

STRATEGIC

OPEN GUIDED STRUCTURED

Strategic EngagementCharettes

Scenario building

Town Hall sessions

Co-laboratoriesof DemocracyWorld Café

Brainstorming

Socratic inquiry

User co-design


Open Space

Mapping dialogueto design.

LET’S REVIEW:

Art of Hosting


CIRCLEopening and closing format

WORLD CAFÉconversations in small groups

Tables for groups of 3-4Participants dialogue posed questionAll circulate & share except table hostGroup harvest ideas from across tables

Art of Hosting techniques.LET’S REVIEW:

LET’S REVIEW:

CHECK-IN CIRCLE:

Introduce yourself and tell us why you’re here.


HARRISON OWEN on the Circle (1985):

“The fundamental form for communication is

the circle. If you invite people to sit in a

circle they will communicate; in part they

can’t escape each other and in part

because circles have no beginning and no

end. There is no top there is no bottom,

there is no hierarchy and everybody faces

everybody quite equally.”


ALECO CHRISTAKIS on the Geometry of Languaging (2007)

“Dialogues must go beyond mere

consensus...We know it is not easy to

change the geometry of languaging. If we

can help the stakeholders in changing their

talk they will automatically help themselves

in changing their walk.”



Today’s Art of Hosting technique:

Open Space.

TODAY’S SUBJECT:

Local community transformation.


Owen’s Pre-conditions for Open Space:

USE "OPEN SPACE" IN ANY SITUATION CHARACTERIZED BY

» high levels of complexity in terms of the issues

» high level of diversity in terms of the necessary participants,

» the potential presence of real conflict where there is a need for decision yesterday.”


HARRISON OWEN on Open Space (1985):

“The common experience is that in less

then an hour (people) will know what they

will talk about; they will establish the

working relationship to do that and they will

be self-managing that. They will carry that

process along to completion by themselves.

There is the need for only one facilitator and

that facilitator never intervenes in any part

of the discussions and there is no problem.

Even in very conflicting situations like we

had in South Africa, with Zulus and Haussas

the self organization process works.”


OPEN SPACE

The Process


1. Identify a question

2. Select a time and place to meet on the schedule

3. Convene for 20 minutes and use graphic facilitation

4. Participants stay or circulate

5. At end of session, second session begins


1. Whoever shows up is the right people.

2. Whatever happens is the only thing that could have

happened.

3. Whenever it starts is the right time.

4. When it's over, it's over.

5. The Law of 2 feet (butterfly and bumblebee).

OPEN SPACE

The Rules

» generates curiosity in the listener

» stimulates reflective conversation

» is thought-provoking

» surfaces underlying assumptions

» invites creativity and new possibilities

» generates energy and forward movement

» channels attention and focuses inquiry

» stays with participants

» touches a deep meaning

» evokes more questions

A DIALOGUE ON DESIGNING WITH DIALOGUE STRATEGIC INNOVATION LAB, SEPTEMBER 15, 2008

OPEN SPACE

A great question...


OPEN SPACE:

Local community transformation.

WRAP-UP:

Reflections on tonight’s processes.


Greg [email protected]

Peter Jones, [email protected]

Designing with DialogueCreating Communitywith Open Space

October 16, 2008Strategic Innovation Lab, Toronto

SESSION 2



