Hi Diana, et al I agree, comparisons between open space, open source and agile methods have limited value. But if I can take your example and skew it somewhat, I'd like to think of considering each a bit more like comparing rubber tires, steering wheels and the little tachometer thing.. they're all circles, but put them together and you've got something that goes.
Again, I know I'm being wildly speculative - but it's a bit of fun seeing how far I can take this idea. And in regard to ant metaphor Lucas brought up, funnily enough we've called our little venture 'Siafu' after the ants of the serengeti plains. The notion is that many little things working together can make big things happen. I'm particularly excited about the strange coincidence of open space, open source and related concepts appearing to emerge all at once. I know this isn't literally the case, many of these things have been building up over many years, but with everything that is available now there seems to be an unprecedented scope for new and interesting business models. Thanks for posting the links on Agile software development methods. If there's anyone in Adelaide interested in discussing these things further (say, over a coffee or over a pint) then perhaps we should organise a "space". Best wishes to you all Cheers Tom On 16/03/2005, at 7:20 AM, Diana Larsen wrote:
Lucas, Todd, Chris and all, For more information on Agile software development methods, you can look at: www.agilealliance.org and, specifically, www.agilemanifesto.org And, yes, they are used in situations where highly complex software is being developed. Sometimes folks who are developing open source software use agile methods but not always. The only time I've seen open space in a software development context is as a conference format. (Which doesn't mean it hasn't happened. I just am not aware of it.) As to whether open source and/or open space and/or agile methods have some points of congruency, I think they do. All have an emphasis on self-organization and, as the agile folks say, finding the simplest effective way, for instance. To the extent that some external group sets the priority for the focus of activity, Agile and Open Space have a similar starting point. However, there are also differences. Agile methods are intended to culminate in a primarily pre- determined product, even though there may be adjustments along the way. Open source developers often work in physical isolation and may communicate primarily through email and IM-ing. That can work well for solving thorny technical problems, but has its limits for human and organizational process issues. I've witnessed both the excitement and the limits of this. Comparing Open Space with Open Source and Agile SD Methods is a bit like comparing apples, oranges and rubber tires. They all take the form of a circle, but things are different from there. Diana Diana Larsen www.futureworksconsulting.com 503-288-3550 Upcoming Workshop: "The Secrets of Agile Teamwork: Beyond Technical Skills" Presenters: Diana Larsen, Esther Derby and Ken Schwaber. April 5-7, 2005 See the Events section of our website for more details... * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
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