Chicago Certified LeSS Practitioner April 9-11, 2024
- Course Agenda
- DAY 1: Setting the Stage
- DAY 2: Seeing Simplicity through Systems Modeling
- DAY 3: Modeling decisions through Systems Modeling & LeSS
- After course completion
- U.S. Air-Force Specifics
- Participant Testimonials
- LeSS Adopters
- Early Bird Bonus
- Travel Logistics
- Arriving By Air
- Arriving By Amtrak
- Detailed Travel Logistics
- Training Venue Details
- Lunches Will Be Great
- Tickets
Course Agenda
The morning of the first of three days will be used to establish the overall context of the system modeling activities which follow. This will be done through a small amount of lecture, combined with both small and large group discussions.
Once the stage is set, we will transition to thoughtful analysis of the impact of different organizational design decisions on adaptability and value delivery using system modeling. Following each incremental framework-agnostic advance in our understanding, we will map concrete aspects of LeSS into our increasingly enlightened understanding of organizational system dynamics. The system modeling brings deeper insight, while mapping this insight into LeSS facilitates better retention along with an understanding of how to act on what is being learned.
We will continue to incrementally advance our depth of understanding using system modeling for the majority of the three days. Towards the end of the third day time will be spent: coalescing the whole of our enhanced understanding; providing guidance on how to move forward; and orienting participants on how to navigate a wealth of additional information.
DAY 1: Setting the Stage
The first of three days will be used to establish the overall context of the system modeling activities which follow. This will be done with a small amount of lecture, but primarily via small and large group discussions and exercises. We’ll follow this thread through the entire 3-day event.
- Introduction
- Avoiding Taylorism
- Estimates, not Commitments
- People are Valuable
- System Optimization, not Local Optimization
- Discovering Value
- Implications of multiple Product Backlogs
DAY 2: Seeing Simplicity through Systems Modeling
On the second day, we will take what we learned about Systems Modeling on Day 1 and use those tools to understand:
- Benefits of Cross-Functional Teams
- Product Breadth Considerations
- Private Code Impedes Technical Excellence
- Managing Cognitive Fullness
- Requirement Area Sizing Considerations
DAY 3: Modeling decisions through Systems Modeling & LeSS
As we continue to advance our depth of understanding using system modeling, the third day will be spent coalescing the whole of our enhanced understanding, providing guidance on how to move forward, and orienting participants on how to navigate a wealth of additional information.
- Product Breadth and Adaptability
- Avoiding Middlemen
- LeSS Complete Picture
- Structure Drives Culture
- Adoption in your organization
- Extended Q&A
After course completion
Each participant will be a Certified LeSS Practitioner and will get an account on less.works. Here one can find additional information about LeSS, share course information, and stay in contact with the other course participants.
All participants get access to the book: Large-Scale Scrum: More with LeSS
U.S. Air-Force Specifics
This course is listed in the United States Air Force’s Education and Training Management System (ETMS). More details are available here.
Participant Testimonials
LeSS Adopters
Early Bird Bonus
The first 5 people who purchase a ticket have their choice of custom laser-engraved drinkware. The available choices are:
- 40 Ounce Road Trip Tumbler: The vacuum insulated stainless steel RTIC 40 oz. Road Trip Tumbler has a ceramic lined interior to protect against metallic taste. It also has a screw on lid to protect against spills. It is almost identical to the 40 oz. Stanley Quencher H2.0, and perhaps better considering the addition of a ceramic lining.
- 30 Ounce Road Trip Tumbler: The vacuum insulated stainless steel RTIC 30 oz. Road Trip Tumbler has a ceramic lined interior to protect against metallic taste. It also has a screw on lid to protect against spills. It is almost identical to the 30 oz Stanley Quencher H2.0, and perhaps better considering the addition of a ceramic lining.
- 18 Ounce Yeti Rambler: The Yeti Rambler 18 oz. bottle with chug cap is a very nice vacuum insulated stainless steel bottle. It has a large lid which makes adding ice easy. This is perhaps a more convenient size for taking on a hike, whereas the larger tumblers are likely better in the car or at a desk.
Travel Logistics
Arriving By Air
Chicago is served by two commercial airports, O’Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW).
O’Hare airport is a huge international airport with non-stop flights to almost anywhere on the planet. O’Hare is a hub for United Airlines and American Airlines.
Midway is a regional airport which is a bit closer to downtown Chicago than O’Hare. Southwest Airlines operates most of the flights into Midway.
Arriving By Amtrak
A direct Amtrak route can be a wonderful low-stress choice for travel to and from downtown Chicago. This is especially true for anyone living in the mid-west. Only direct cross-country routes on Amtrak tend to make sense.
Detailed Travel Logistics
See the following pages for additional travel details:
Training Venue Details
The event venue is very likely to be in the downtown Chicago area.
My intention is to ensure you can reach the training venue from Union Station with only a short walk, short ride on the L train, or five minute Uber ride.
Lunches Will Be Great
Lunch will be provided. There is a good chance we will walk to lunch at pre-arranged table service restaurants. This will provide a better social experience for everyone, and allow us to spend some time outside of the event space.
Breakfast will also be provided. I anticipate we will be eating as a group at the event hotel restaurant each morning, or some similar arrangement.