Training · Large group methods
Barcamp and Open Space training from experienced professionals
In our barcamp and Open Space training you learn how to apply the method with confidence, what to look out for and what to avoid, and how to prepare yourself and the participants as well as possible. Our barcamp and Open Space trainers are experienced practitioners and users who have run the method successfully with clients many dozens of times. We help you avoid the typical beginner's mistakes and build confident application through practice.
Barcamp and Open Space methodology training
"Barcamp" and "Open Space" are large group methods. With them, in large groups …
- agreement reached
- knowledge exchanged
- strategies developed
- action plans developed
… are all possible.
Difference between Barcamp and Open Space
The barcamp format is particularly suited to exchanging knowledge and experience. An Open Space conference can additionally produce action plans or strategies. Both processes work with participant numbers from 12 up to 1,000.
Details on the methodologies can be found here: a description of the Open Space method and success factors for running it.
Typical questions
Many participants ask the following questions regarding the Open Space or Barcamp method:
- How do you make sure that all participants bring in their own topics?
- How can I make sure that as many people as possible feel comfortable and that the typical barcamp feeling emerges?
- What needs to be considered in preparation and delivery?
- What infrastructure and support systems are needed on site?
- In which cases does the method work – and when would other methods fit better?
Our Barcamp and Open Space trainings
In our Barcamp and Open Space trainings you will learn how to
- prepare the event well and plan it thoroughly
- what to consider as early as the invitation and the planning phase
- which individual steps make up a barcamp and what has to be considered in each phase
- how to navigate the event with methodological confidence and a clear thread
- prepare and equip yourself personally
- handle unexpected situations calmly and confidently (yes, that can be learned!)
- … and everything else that matters on the way to running your own first successful barcamp.
Training content
This is what you learn in our Open Space / barcamp training – always tailored to your prior knowledge and your setting:
What is a barcamp / Open Space?
Basic principles, the process step by step, the phases of the format.
Differences between the two methods
Distinguishing them, and thereby understanding their fields of application more deeply.
Preparation
What to consider in the preparation. A proven format for preparatory workshops.
Structure and delivery
Timetable, materials, set-up and use of space. Useful attitudes and tricks for facilitators.
Success factors, pitfalls and obstacles
What makes a format work – and what typically makes it fail.
Connecting the participants
How to make sure participants network with each other.
Tips and tricks for better results
From experienced practitioners.
Generating enough topics
Getting all participants to put their topics forward.
Sharing results and putting them to further use
Various methods for sharing the working groups' results and using them further.
Combining with other event formats
What to look out for.
One-to-one coaching for your own event
Coaching on preparing and running a specific event.
We demonstrate what you want to learn from us methodologically: pointed input alternates throughout with phases of transfer and of doing it yourself.
Our barcamp and Open Space training is always tailored to the participants' prior knowledge and setting. As a first orientation for your own training, here is a rough outline of how such a training could run (example):
pointed input
In-depth discussion
Review and transfer into your own field of work
Exercises: running a training barcamp (practical application)
- Participants take on different roles and can try themselves out
- → learning by doing
evaluation
- Observations and learning experiences
- Collecting and answering open questions
- Answers and key insights are visualised on flipcharts (→ photographic record)
Fields of application
- When is the method a good choice, and when is it not?
- Similar Methods
Variations
- Which variation for which purpose
Going deeper: examples of use from practice
Transfer: a shared running order and a step-by-step visualisation
- Working out a shared running order for the planned event
- Consolidating the training content
- Transfer against the background of a first own event
Training format: action learning
In our training we follow the action learning approach (experience-based learning):
Concise input
Clear and understandable
Discussion and depth
Enrichment by the participants, clarification of questions.
Interactive learning setting
Exercises on the live object, learning by doing, reflection and review, transfer, variations and suggestions for improvement.
Recording and visualising the key insights
Key insights are recorded and visualised.
Download of the learning materials
All materials and live flipcharts from the training, from our secure document platform.
Documentation
- All participants receive the training materials as a handout and/or as a digital download.
- All insights from the training are recorded, visualised and form part of the documentation.
Who is the training or course suitable for?
The target audience is everyone who wants to use the large group method barcamp and the very similar large group format Open Space. Our participants come from every sector and from a range of positions: trainers, trade fair organisers, speakers, specialists, managers, software developers, and project and planning groups for large group events.
The training is open to, and worth attending for, everyone who …
- who want to be able to apply the method with confidence
- who are planning barcamps or Open Space events for their organisation
- who require individual methods coaching
- who want to refresh their knowledge of the methods
- who need solid, practical tips
- who want to benefit from the experience of seasoned practitioners and avoid the most common pitfalls
Prior experience is not required. We run all training as in-house training for existing groups; we also coach individuals, facilitators and project managers. Certificates of attendance are available on request.
Not convinced yet? Put us to the test in a free initial consultation:
- Learning from experienced practitioners
- Our trainers are experienced users and large group facilitators.
- Confident use of both formats
- Plenty of practice by doing it yourself.
- Theory and practice
- You get to know the wide and rich fields of application of both processes.
- Practising on real cases
- You gain confidence and your first routines.
- Individual methods coaching
- You can bring your own use cases.
- A lasting extension of your methodological range
- All questions are answered with practice in mind.
- An interactive, dynamic learning setting
- Practising the essential procedures and individual steps.
Coaching for running Open Space and barcamp events
Would you like to run a barcamp or an Open Space conference yourself, but are not quite sure whether you have thought of everything and need professional support with the preparation? For the preparation teams of Open Space and barcamp events we offer accompanying preparatory coaching:
- What do you need to think about when preparing an event?
- How do you make sure that all participants really do raise their concerns?
- How exactly do the individual phases run, and what does the facilitation have to take care of?
- Room planning and infrastructure
- Key conditions for success
- … and every other question on your mind
Our preparatory coaching has already been used by large companies such as Siemens, foundations, associations and many others.
You will find further articles on the barcamp and Open Space method in our knowledge section.
What our clients say
What clients say about working with us
A very helpful, well-run workshop. The results served us well through the restructuring phase too.
It was striking how much came out of our workshop. That was outstanding.
Many thanks again for the excellent collaboration, the organisation and the very good workshop results.
I am very happy with the consulting. The workshop moved us a long way forward. Thank you.
You prepared our workshop thoroughly and precisely. Both the method and the facilitation fitted our objectives very well. We were able to carry on working very successfully with the results. Many thanks.
Four days of workshop and still playful, creative, inspiring and well structured, with good methodology. Thoroughly recommended.
Thanks again for the excellent workshop — we have already started putting the first ideas into practice, and enjoying it.
Rarely have I been given a seminar so well structured and so well put together in terms of content.
The methods training was very helpful. We can warmly recommend initio Organisationsberatung for future seminars.
The seminar was very helpful and will stay with me for weeks and months.
The training was enjoyable and, above all, it moved us forward and inspired us. Thank you for that.
I thoroughly enjoyed working with you, personally and professionally, and it was a great pleasure to run this workshop with you.
Free initial consultation
Contact.
We have more than 21 years of experience and would be glad to advise you! Book our free initial consultation. We will get back to you.