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Open Space Technology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Written by Brandon Klein | Feb 12, 2011 5:28:00 AM

Open Space Technology (OST) offers a method to run meetings of groups of any size. ("Technology" in this case means tool — a process; a method.) OST represents a self-organising process; participants construct the agenda and schedule during the meeting itself. Proponents[who?], including [Peggy Holman] [1]of the "Open Circle Company" claim that OST allows somewhat diverse people to address complex and possibly controversial topics.

Open Space Technology enables groups of any size to address complex, important issues and achieve meaningful results quickly.[citation needed] It functions best where more traditional meeting formats fail: in situations involving conflict, complexity, diversity of thought or people, and short decision-times. People have used it in widely diverse situations, from designing aircraft doors at a large aircraft-manufacturing company to engaging street kids in defining a sustainable jobs-program.