Module 2 - SLP Large Group Interventions

For this assignment, continue to write about the current organization you work for or one that you worked for in the past. Before writing this paper, make sure to thoroughly review the background readings. Think carefully about how Open Space Technology and Future Search could be used at your organization. Then write a 3-page paper addressing the following questions. Make sure to cite at least three of the required readings in your paper:

1. What issue facing your organization would be most appropriately addressed using Future Search? Explain the issue and why Future Search could effectively address this issue.
2. If you organized a Future Search Conference to address the issue identified in Question 1 above, who would you include in the initial planning before the conference? Who you invite to the conference? How many people would you invite, and why? Any other specifics planning details that you would address to ensure the success of the conference?
3. What issue facing your organization would be most appropriately addressed using Open Space Technology? This should be a different issue than the one you discussion in Question 1. Explain the issue and why Open Space Technology could effectively address this issue.
4. If you organized an Open Space Technology Event to address the issue identified in Question 3 above, who would you include in the initial planning before the conference? Who you invite to the conference? How many total people would you invite, and why? Any other specifics planning details that you would address to ensure the success of the event?

SLP Assignment Expectations

• Answer the assignment questions directly in 3 to 4 written pages.
• Stay focused on the precise assignment questions; don't go off on tangents or devote a lot of space to summarizing general background materials.
• Make sure to use reliable and credible sources as your references. Articles published in established newspapers or business journals/magazines are preferred. If you use articles from the Internet, make sure they are from credible sources.
• Reference your sources of information with both a bibliography and in-text citations. See the Student Guide to Writing a High-Quality Academic Paper, including pages 13 and 14 on in-text citations. Another resource is the "Writing Style Guide," which is found under My Resources in the TLC portal.

Module 2 - BackgroundLarge Group InterventionsRequired Reading

To start out this module, view these two videos for a basic introduction to the large group intervention methods Open Space Technology and Future Search. These are short animated videos that will explain the basics of these methods

Pashley, S. (2012). Open Space. NHS Research and Development Forum. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vEBcr_YkHU

Kaapz. (2010). Kaapz and Future Search https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfTHKwvAbiA

Now read these two articles for a basic overview of large group interventions such as Future Search and Open Space Technology:

Nixon, B. (1998). Creating the futures we desire - getting the whole system into the room: Part I. Industrial and Commercial Training, 30(1), 4-11. [Proquest]

Leith, M. (1996). Organizational change and large group interventions. Career Development International, 1(4), 19-23. [Proquest]

Finally, take a closer and more detailed look at Future Search and Open Space Technology with these final two readings that are highly important for your assignments. You will be required to cite these readings in your papers:

Norum, K. E. (2005). Chapter 15: Future Search conversation. In , Dialogue as a Means of Collective Communication (pp. 323-333). Springer Science & Business Media B.V. / Books. [EBSCOhost]

Hogan, C. (2003). Chapter 12: Developing workable relationships. Practical Facilitation: A Toolkit of Techniques. London, GBR: Kogan Page Ltd., pp. 334-343 [Ebrary. Note: you don't have to read the whole chapter, just the section on Open Space Technology]

Optional Reading

Chapters 21 and 22 have some in depth discussion about Future Search from the creator of this method, Dr. Marvin Weisbord:

Weisbord, M. R. (2012). Productive Workplaces : Dignity, Meaning, and Community in the 21st Century (3rd Edition). Hoboken, NJ, USA: John Wiley & Sons. [Ebrary]

For some discussion of Open Space Technology from its creator Harrison Owen see:

Owen, H. (2013). Chapter 22: Open Space Technology and beyond. In Carter L. (Ed.) Change Champion's Field Guide: Strategies and Tools for Leading Change in Your Organization (2nd Edition). Somerset, NJ, USA: John Wiley & Sons. [Ebrary]

Owen, H. (2008). Open Space Technology : A User's Guide (3rd Edition). Williston, VT, USA: Berrett-Koehler Publishers. [Ebrary]