Open Space Technology
Open Space Technology
Open Space Technology is a meeting and collaboration format in which participants set the agenda themselves. There is no pre-determined content — only a central question and a structure that makes space for what is alive in the group.
The method was developed by the American organisational consultant Harrison Owen in the 1980s. He discovered that the best conversations at conferences always happened in the coffee break — informal, driven by genuine interest, without an agenda. Open Space is essentially an organised coffee break.
Since then, the method has been applied worldwide for groups of 12 to over 1,000 participants, in companies, governments, non-profits, communities and internationally.
The five principles
- Whoever comes are the right people — Trust that exactly the people needed for the conversations that need to happen are present.
- Whatever happens is the only thing that could have happened — Let go of expectations about outcomes and focus on what is happening now.
- Whenever it starts is the right time — Creativity cannot be forced by the clock.
- When it's over, it's over — When the energy or the topic is exhausted, it is time to move on.
- Wherever it happens is the right place — Meaningful conversations can happen anywhere.
The Law of Two Feet
The heart of Open Space is the Law of Two Feet: if you are somewhere where you are neither learning nor contributing, use your two feet to move somewhere else. This is not rudeness — it is the engine of the process. It keeps energy high and ensures no one is forced to waste time in a conversation that is not relevant to them.
The marketplace
The marketplace is the heart of an Open Space day. At the start, participants propose topics they want to discuss. These are placed on the marketplace — a large wall or board with time slots and spaces. Participants choose which sessions they attend.
The role of the facilitator
An Open Space facilitator has a paradoxical role: they create the structure that makes self-organisation possible, but do not steer the content. The facilitator opens the day, holds the marketplace, and maintains the space — both physically and psychologically.
The approach is light and serving. The facilitator trusts the wisdom of the group and the working of the principles. Intervening in the content is the exception, not the rule.
Open Space vs. other formats
Open Space is not the best choice for every purpose. It works best when:
- The challenge is complex and has no ready-made solution
- Diverse perspectives are needed
- Buy-in for the outcomes is essential
- The group is large enough for parallel sessions (at least 15–20 people)
For deep dialogue in small groups, World Café is often more suitable. For knowledge transfer or structured decision-making, other formats work better. The choice always depends on the specific goal and context.
Frequently asked questions
What is Open Space Technology?
Open Space Technology is a meeting and collaboration format in which participants set the agenda themselves. There is no pre-determined content — only a central question and a structure that creates space for what is alive in the group. The method was developed by Harrison Owen in the 1980s and has been applied worldwide for groups of 12 to over 1,000 participants.
What is the Law of Two Feet in Open Space?
The Law of Two Feet (also called the Law of Mobility) is the heart of Open Space: if you are somewhere where you are neither learning nor contributing, use your two feet to move somewhere else. This is not rudeness — it is the engine of the process. It keeps energy high and ensures no one is forced to waste time in a conversation that is not relevant to them.
What is the marketplace in Open Space?
The marketplace is the heart of an Open Space day. At the start, participants propose topics they want to discuss. These are placed on the marketplace — a large wall or board with time slots and spaces. Participants choose which sessions they attend. The agenda is completely flexible and can be updated throughout the day.
What group size is Open Space suitable for?
Open Space Technology works best for groups of at least 15–20 people, since parallel sessions require sufficient participants. The method has been applied worldwide for groups of over 1,000 participants. For small groups below 15 people, formats like World Café or dialogue sessions are often more suitable.
When is Open Space the right approach?
Open Space works best when the challenge is complex and has no ready-made solution, when diverse perspectives are needed, when buy-in for outcomes is essential, and when the group is large enough for parallel sessions (at least 15–20 people). It is particularly well-suited for conferences, strategy days, mergers, reorganisations and community events.
What is the difference between Open Space and World Café?
Open Space Technology and World Café are both participatory methods, but with different purposes. Open Space lets participants set the agenda entirely themselves and is ideal for broad exploration of complex challenges in larger groups. World Café is better suited for in-depth dialogue in small groups around pre-determined themes. They are also regularly combined: Open Space for broad exploration, World Café for deeper work on selected themes.