There are several options for hosting virtual Open Space, and a variety of tools that can be used to create the physical spaces for meeting, for the marketplace, and for harvesting.
It’s worth keeping in mind that there may be varied levels of digital literacy in the participants, as well as issues with broadband connections, and to consider these when planning events. If you’re inviting a broad range of participants, and hoping for maximum turnout, it’s generally better to keep digital tools as simple and straightforward as possible. If, however, you’re working with a skilled team over a period of time, it may be worth choosing tools with increased functionality.
Unlike face-to-face Open Space, which generally takes place over the course of a single day (or several consecutive days), virtual Open Space may also take place over a longer period of time. It’s possible to host a virtual Open Space during which the marketplace is kept open for a month or so, with conversations taking place at varied times throughout that period. This means that time slots don’t necessarily overlap, which gives participants options to attend more of the conversations than they’d be able to in a synchronous event. However, it can be more difficult to maintain focus, continuity, and coherence, if the event is spread over time.
If you are hosting a synchronous event, as with any online event, remember to factor in peoples’ comfort levels. It’s more difficult for people to stay engaged for extended periods of time in a virtual environment than it is face-to-face. In general, the maximum time for a virtual event is about three hours in one stretch, with at least one ten minute break. Other options include one and a half hour sessions - it’s possible to host four of these in a day, two in the morning, and two in the afternoon, leaving half an hour between sessions, and longer for lunch.