Unstructuring Health Care

Open Space TechnologyFebruary 20, 2015

Why do change efforts fail?

• Change starts at the top• Change is rolled out • Change is engineered• Focus on a few elements of a complex system (not all)• Changing organizations without adequately dealing with the

human beings (emphasis on head vs. heart)• We must address all the key elements that make up a system

McKinsey and Co; Inconvenient truth about change management/Build a platform of change; not a change program (2014)

What is transformational change?

Fundamental change, altering the very nature of something.

Transformational change is both radical and sustainable.

Something that is transformed can never go back to exactly what it was before.

Robert Gass, Who we are, Social Change Transformation

Staff EngagementCulture of Safety and Trust

Patient/resident Centred CareHealth Reform

Tapping into hearts and minds

Complex Challenges

If you have come here to help me, then you are wasting your time…

but if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mind,

then let us work together.

Lila Watson, Australian Aboriginal activist

Wikepedia

Open Space Principles

• Self-organizing• All attendees are encouraged to present or

facilitate a session• The goal is understanding, not necessarily to

"win" or win support by being right• Law of Two Feet

Traditional Unstructured/Open Space

Agenda is pre-set Participants set the agendaExpert driven Driven by the “pitcher” – no

expertPPT driven /Panels Discussion basedPeople around table or behind

Sitting in a circle with no table

All presentations and room spoken for

Encouraged to strike up an impromptu group discussion

Committee planned Participant drivenInformation /Workshop Connection to Action

Sit through the session (at all cost)

Law of 2 feet. Find the right conversation.

Burning Question

A good question has …

• “How can we…”• No solution in the question• Status quo is not an option any more• Big goal that is open enough for different

solutions to emerge• Many elements that influence the problem

WICKED

What questions need to be dealt with – for this conference

to be a success for me?Workshop!

Our Burning Question?

How might we engage frontline staff in change?

• Write your idea/question on a piece of paper and add your name

• Come and pitch it! (1 minute time line)• You will be given a “circle” to meet!

Facilitator Training

• First names only• Step up and step back• Monologues• Circular arguments• Conversations that won’t end

Best facilitators: gentle nudgers who are adaptive in style

Postcard: A way to record at each conversation

But the "magic" is not Open Space Technology, but rather the force that

underlies it -- the power of self organization.

Harrison Owen

The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society

that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.

Albert Einstein

References

• http://www.openspaceworld.com/index.htm• https://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=aD3S0wlbek0• What is transformation and how it advances

social change. Robert Gass http://www.stproject.org/about-us/who-we-are/

• Avaaz the world in action http://www.avaaz.org/en/

Robin Speedierspeedie@bcpsqc.ca

Marlies van Dijk@tweetvandijk

Marlies.vandijk@albertahealthservices.ca