2009 17th WOSonOS
OPEN SPACE REPORT FORM
8A/Topic Name: Connecting the Dots…Ai and OS
Convenor: Sharon
Participants: Suzanne, Tim Lam, Jessie, Gail, Jorie Wu, Jackie Chang, Pasang Hsiao, Mark, Michael, Wong, Larry
- Refer to Appreciative Inquiry and Open Space an article written by Larry Peterson for the Ai Practitioner Journal. In brief, these two processes have some similar assumptions and also some basic differences i.e. role of leader
- Ai is helpful particularly in framing the theme or the topic choice in OS. As part of pre-work the facilitator can create an environment for people to adopt a more positive mental framework. Appreciative process leads to discoveries and wishes as well as some visual images of the future
- German colleague of Michael created a method called “community forum” using a process of inviting people and using Appreciative Inquiry to set the context. Open Space is used thereafter, with follow-ups (refer to “Change Handbook” / Gemeinsinn Werkstatt by Wolfgang Fanderl)
- In OS we are invited to focus more on people and issues which they feel passionately about, as entry points of the gathering. But certainly David Cooperrider’s understanding of the world provides some useful insights to OS.
- OS somehow ends up on the positive
- Ai recognizes self organizing system but this does not seem to translate given the highly structured AI processes i.e. the 4D process.
- In Ai there is the danger of ego guiding and dominating the process. This is mainly because Ai has become process oriented which is a departure from the early years of practice of Ai i.e. Bliss Brown’s Imagine Chicago.
- Ai particularly as it applies to appreciative living philosophy; assumptions are good
- A lot of people focus on issues (negative issues in particular) this drains the energy of the group and leads to no productive results. With Ai people can see differently. What are the opportunities here- can help people see value in a situation
- How do you deal with people who want to focus on issues
- With Ai there is the question on gifts of energy and building the collective…
- Ai can be awful because of the need to control. It is a difficult process to lead well. It uses strange words…provocative proposition…what is that? With a very visible presence of the leader. In OS you allow things to happen by engaging people to figure it out. If you get out of their way they know what to do.
- Ai can be semi/less structured, but as it is it’s beginning to look like any other traditional OD approaches.
- The Definition stage/ topic choice or theme is important for both Ai and OS. This can be a point of convergence and take off.
- Ai is highly structured
- Can the military use Ai and OS systems? Possible as long as the sponsors are prepared for the results
- Seek for what is appropriate in a situation (Ai, OS or a mix of both or others)
- The process also depends on the capacity and preparation of the facilitator
- Below is 4D + 1 to include definition stage/topic choice or theme. An affirmative topic choice can serve as the context-building and convergence point for Ai and OS. This is where Ai can complement OS, however succeeding processes would have to be self-organizing and less structured than the 4Ds of Ai.
