Tom Wrote: "I agree, comparisons between open space, open source and agile methods have limited value."
Probably true, but I think that the value might lie in understanding that operative power underlying all three "methods" is self-organization. And to the extent that any of them "work" they do so because self-organization works. It then might be very useful to consider how each method enhances the possibility for effective self-organization. What is the same and what is different? From where I sit, it is all open space (not Open Space Technology) and the critical question is how can we most effectively work with it? To quote my now favorite mantra -- "There is no such thing as a non-self organizing system." There are only some mildly deluded people who think they organized it. And there are also, I am sure, an infinite number of effective ways to enhance our capacity to work intelligently in the self organizing environment. Harrison Harrison Owen 7808 River Falls Drive Potomac, Maryland 20845 Phone 301-365-2093 Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org Personal website http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html -----Original Message----- From: OSLIST [mailto:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu] On Behalf Of Tom Tuddenham Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2005 5:36 AM To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu Subject: Open space and software development (was 'A short introduction') 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 > * * ========================================================== 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 * * ========================================================== 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