Open Space Technology & Enterprise 2.0 Rave

I recently was involved in an Open Space Technology (OST) session. For those unfamiliar with this collaboration methodology, it aims at addressing complex challenges in groups that could go up to 1000's of people. It attempts to meet needs of both the individual and the collective and is based on 4 simple principles.

1. Whoever comes is the right people
2. Whatever happens is the only thing that could have
3. Whenever it starts is the right time
4. When it's over, it's over

The agenda is sent to potential participants, and their act of involvement identifies their desire to be part of the session. The agenda is create by the participants and facilitated by the participants. The similarities to self-organizing model in the web 2.0 space is striking and may provide you practitioners with "best practices" even as Enterprise 2.0 is only beginning.

Apparently, the inspiration for the father of OST, Harrison Owen, was attending conferences and realizing that the value of the conference wasn't in the formal presentations but in the coffee breaks. I have definitely had the same experience. And when you think about it, it makes sense. The traditional presentation is 75% of slideware and 25%f Q&A. The coffee break is 100% Q&A.

I am very excited that Enterprise 2.0 Rave is being designed to be collaborative and uses similar concepts to Open Space Technology. Currently, I am just trying to re-arrange my calendar to participate in this "Rave" and have the opportunity to collaborate on collaboration.

Will you be attending? Let me know if you are...