My concept map of Open Space patterns
click to enlarge

These are some of the resources I often share with colleagues who start to facilitate Open Space events. I strongly recommend the first two items, both by the creator of Open Space. Beyond that – wander, and use what fits!

A Brief User’s Guide to Open Space Technology (online) – by Harrison Owen

Open Space Guide (book) – by Harrison Owen (also available in German)

Open Space practitioners’ email discussion forum (mailing list)

Open Space Inviting Guide (online) – by Michael Herman

The OSList: A lively mailing list populated with experienced practitioners – anyone can join, or just search for answers using keywords! They are newbie-friendly, don’t be shy.

Facilitator Resources – on the Open Space World site
includes a spreadsheet for calculating circle size based on room size, chair size.

Resources from experienced members of the OST facilitator community:
Michael Herman, Chris Corrigan, Michael M. Pannwitz (in german), and Lisa Heft

And an open weekly Skype call from the US Open Space Institute: http://bit.ly/1cm8iJN

My own Open Space concept map (see thumbnail at the right) – I use this guide myself when helping a sponsor set up an event

Task Cards for setting up an Open Space – by Michael Pannwitz Sr.
In English and in German

The Tao of Holding Space (lovely, free e-book, and a card deck) – by Chris Corrigan.

Wave Rider: Leadership for High Performance in a Self-Organizing World (book) – by Harrison Owen
Owen applies the lessons of self-organisation and Open Space to the world of work.

And, if you like to learn interactively, whether in-person or online, have a look at my
Open Space Facilitator workshop – designed for people who’ve been in Open Space and are ready to facilitate it for their own group or business.

 

And, not directly about Open Space, but useful frameworks for preparing to Open Space:

My cheatsheet for organizing your own unConference

The Magic of Opening Space – my article on some common unconference “fixes” that tend close the space.

The Art of Powerful Questions (originally from the World Café site) This article is helpful for finding a theme for your event, that pulls in “the right people”.

The Art of Convening: Authentic Engagement in Meetings, Gatherings, and Conversations (book) by Craig Neal, Patricia Neal
Poster: electronic version / print version