Harrison Owen created the "Four Principles" and "One Law" that are briefly explained during the opening briefing of an Open Space meeting. These explanations describe than control the process of the meeting. The four principles and Owen's explanations are:
1. Whoever comes is the right people ...reminds participants that they don't need the CEO and 100 people to get something done, you need people who care. And, absent the direction or control exerted in a traditional meeting, that's who shows up in the various breakout sessions of an open space meeting.
2. Whenever it starts is the right time ...reminds participants that "spirit and creativity do not run on the clock."
3. Whatever happens is the only thing that could have ...reminds participants that once something has happened, it's done—and no amount of fretting, complaining or otherwise rehashing can change that. Move on.
4. When it's over, it's over ...reminds participants that we never know how long it will take to resolve an issue, once raised, but that whenever the issue or work or conversation is finished, move on to the next thing. Don't keep rehashing just because there's 30 minutes left in the session. Do the work, not the time.
Owen also explains his one "Law," called the "Law of Two Feet" or "The Law of Mobility", as follows: If at any time during our time together you find yourself in any situation where you are neither learning nor contributing, use your two feet, go someplace else. In this way, all participants are given both the right and the responsibility to maximize their own learning and contribution, which the Law assumes only they, themselves, can ultimately judge and control. When participants lose interest and get bored in a breakout session, or accomplish and share all that they can, the charge is to move on, the "polite" thing to do is go something else. In practical terms, Owen explains, the Law of Two Feet says: "Don't waste time!" If you are not interested with the topic anymore, then you can freely leave the room using your two feet.
Process
1) Complete the preparations (invitations, supplies, room set-up etc.).
(2) Welcome the participants/Morning news.
(3) Create the space.
(4) State the theme.
(5) Describe the process.
(6) Name the Four Principles and the One Law
(7) Invite people to write "offerings" and post them.
(8) Return to circle for final instructions.
(9) Invite people to sign up and enter the market place.
-Participants move around the wall, putting together their personal schedules for the remainder of the conference.
(10) Hold the space and pick up trash.
(11) Invite people to gather together for Evening news/Closure.
-The approach is "What's the story?" -- with participants voluntarily providing the tale.
(12) Debrief with the client.
What's great about Open Space is that people who care enough to make something happen will make things happen. They find allies and partners in those who are drawn to their vision. They find commitment and energy in those who want to share responsibility for making things happen. All the structure, process and planning in the world can never replace the power of people acting on their passion. It all happens in Open Space.
http://www.freechild.org/Firestarter/OpenSpace.htm
Reflection
The beauty about Open Space is that it seems so simple and engaging because of its principle and process. One of the key principles of Open Space is that whoever comes are the right people whether it may be one person or 100 persons, the conference will still continue and become fruitful. Because in this conference, you talk about things you’re concerned with. Open space makes allows you to be random. You can go to this group and talk about this certain topic and if you’re not interested in it already, you can leave and contemplate or join another group. This system also allows people to gather as much knowledge as they want and can. Another good thing about Open Space is that you’ll be surprised that you have so many experts on different topics in one room. This method provides rich data; moreover, participants learn new things and enjoy the experience.
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