Open Space Technology and World Café are proven methods of engaging small or large groups of people. They can be used for any type of event where there is a real issue or problem to be addressed. This can include consultation events where there is a genuine desire to find out what people think and want.

World Café is an innovative yet simple process for hosting conversations about questions that matter. These conversations link and build on each other as people move between groups, share ideas, and discover new insights into the questions or issues that are most important in their life, work, or community. As a process World Café increases people's capacity for effective action in pursuit of common aims.

Open Space Technology is a highly scalable and adaptable way to address a real 'business' issue. It is a radical but highly effective approach that allows participants to set the agenda(s) based on a predefined central theme. Due to its flexible approach its main strength is the ability to tap into each person's real interests and passion. It works when the result or outcome has not been predefined; it does not work when the organiser already has the answers.

Open Space and World Café can be used in many ways to revitalise traditional processes, these include:

• Staff and member conferences
• Customer and service user consultation events
• Business planning events
• Community consultation
• Self evaluation processes
• Service reviews