Open Space Technology (OST) is a facilitation method created by Harrison Owen in the mid-1980s for running productive meetings and conferences without a pre-determined agenda. Participants propose topics they are passionate about, post them on a shared marketplace wall, and then self-organize into breakout sessions. The method is governed by four principles and one law (the Law of Two Feet), which encourages participants to move freely to wherever they can learn or contribute the most. OST has been used with groups ranging from five to over two thousand people and is valued for its ability to surface emergent topics and harness participant energy around real issues. It is particularly relevant in Business, Public Policy and Education.

Open Space Technology supports participatory and community-based collaboration and is suited for organizational settings and community-scale initiatives in in-person and hybrid settings.

Open Space Technology is an established method with a solid track record of use across multiple contexts. The Open Space Technology method involves a structured process including: Open Circle: the facilitator welcomes participants, introduces the theme, and explains the principles and the Law of Two Feet., Marketplace of Ideas: participants propose session topics and post them on the agenda wall, then negotiate times and spaces., Breakout Sessions: self-selected groups meet to discuss their chosen topics, with conveners capturing notes and action items., and further steps.