Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Practice Exam

What best describes the approach of open space technology?

1. Establishing a fixed agenda by organizers

2. A participatory approach to determine the agenda

3. A focus on keynote presentations

4. A structured approach to organizing meetings

The correct answer is: A participatory approach to determine the agenda

The participatory approach to determine the agenda is foundational to open space technology. This method empowers attendees to take control of the meeting's direction by inviting them to propose topics of interest that they feel passionate about. The main principle behind this approach is that the participants know what they want to discuss, and by allowing them to create the agenda, it fosters engagement, creativity, and ownership of the meeting outcomes. In contrast, establishing a fixed agenda by organizers limits flexibility and does not allow for participant input, which is contrary to the essence of open space technology. Focusing solely on keynote presentations can steer the event toward a more traditional conference format, diminishing opportunities for interactive discussion. A structured approach to organizing meetings implies a more rigid format that may not suit the organic and spontaneous nature of open space gatherings, where participants can shift between discussions as they see fit. This emphasis on self-organization is what makes option B the most accurate representation of open space technology.