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Burning Question 
is Key for an Open Space Meeting
A good question has … 
• “How might we…” 
• No solution in the question 
• Big goal that is open enough for different 
solutions to emerge
• Invite participants to pitch their idea for one 
minute 
• Write the idea and your name on a piece of 
paper 
• Facilitator will give you a space to meet
Open Space Principles 
• Whoever comes are the right people 
• Whatever happens is the only thing that could 
have happened. 
• The ideas put forward are the right ideas
Traditional Unstructured/Open Space 
Agenda is pre-set Participants set the agenda 
Presenter talking “at” you: 
usually expert model 
Driven by the “pitcher” – no 
expert 
PPT driven Discussion based 
People around table or 
behind 
Sitting in a circle with no table 
All presentations and room 
spoken for 
Encouraged to strike up an 
impromptu group discussion 
Structured that participants 
can’t leave session 
Participants encouraged to 
find the right session 
Planner driven Participant driven 
Information sharing Connection to Action 
Sit through the session (at all 
cost) 
Law of 2 feet. Find the right 
conversation.
Postcard: A way to 
record at each 
conversation
Dot vote the top 
three sessions at 
end of open 
space meeting.
You Should Try it! 
Marlies van Dijk 
@tweetvandijk

Open space technology in healthcare: Try it!

  • 3.
  • 4.
    Burning Question isKey for an Open Space Meeting
  • 5.
    A good questionhas … • “How might we…” • No solution in the question • Big goal that is open enough for different solutions to emerge
  • 7.
    • Invite participantsto pitch their idea for one minute • Write the idea and your name on a piece of paper • Facilitator will give you a space to meet
  • 13.
    Open Space Principles • Whoever comes are the right people • Whatever happens is the only thing that could have happened. • The ideas put forward are the right ideas
  • 16.
    Traditional Unstructured/Open Space Agenda is pre-set Participants set the agenda Presenter talking “at” you: usually expert model Driven by the “pitcher” – no expert PPT driven Discussion based People around table or behind Sitting in a circle with no table All presentations and room spoken for Encouraged to strike up an impromptu group discussion Structured that participants can’t leave session Participants encouraged to find the right session Planner driven Participant driven Information sharing Connection to Action Sit through the session (at all cost) Law of 2 feet. Find the right conversation.
  • 17.
    Postcard: A wayto record at each conversation
  • 18.
    Dot vote thetop three sessions at end of open space meeting.
  • 20.
    You Should Tryit! Marlies van Dijk @tweetvandijk

Editor's Notes

  • #6 Hi Marlies,   Sorry for the delay - was quite sick this week!   Good questions in the design world often start with "How might we...." and also don't include the solution in the question. Making healthcare more friendly begs the question - why? what will that do?   I think the goal really is improving patient outcomes, or increasing health and wellness in BC or something like that. A big goal that is open enough for lots of different solutions to emerge. Make sense? If not - we have a call booked on Monday and can chat more then.   Also, I am going to to an e-intro to another great co-facilitator that you can engage if you would like help on the day.   Have fun!   -steve   On 29 January 2014 13:10, Marlies van Dijk <mvandijk@bcpsqc.ca> wrote: Hi Steve, We are just getting organized for the mini unconference we want to run at the Quality Forum. We are still wondering if using out burning question from SQAN "What does it take to provide top surgical care in BC?" is limited to surgery and most attendees not from that world. What are some other mock up questions that would be good for that 1 hour session. Here are some ideas? Can you send me some notes on how you determine what a good question is?  Do you have anything on that? Ideas: How could we make healthcare more patient friendly? What does it take to make healthcare more patient friendly? How do we get healthcare unstuck and more innovative? What does it take for us to work in teams and communicate better?
  • #8 Pitch: Piece of paper on the table – pen Pitch for one minute
  • #14 OS Law of Two Feet - Use your two feet to move to whatever place you can best learn or contribute. Only participate in what has ‘heart and meaning’ for you.  Don’t hesitate to wander and cross-pollinate freely.  [Review 4 Open Space Principles] A big part of this unconference is self-organizing. Anyone can introduce new topics for discussion at any time. Just find some space and post the topic/question you want to discuss. The only boundaries are the two Theme Questions. The goal is understanding, not necessarily to "win" or win support by being right.Jot down notes instead of cutting each other off. This is an important sign of respect for those in your circle.When disagreements arise, welcome them and turn your initial judgment into curiosity.Anyone can request assistance from any designated Facilitator at any time.