San Antonio Certified LeSS Practitioner Course

  James  5 mins read.

May 2 - 4: Get 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

Air-Force Specifics

This course is listed in the Air Force’s Education and Training Management System (ETMS). More details are available here.

Participant Testimonials

LeSS Adopters

LeSS Logo Sheet by Sector

Training Venue Details

Hilton Garden Inn San Antonio Downtown Riverwalk
408 East Houston Street, San Antonio, Texas, United States, 78205

The Hilton Garden Inn is just over a block away from the San Antonio Riverwalk with lots of nice restaurants, shops, and tour boats.

Lunches Will Be Great

The venue location allows Agile Carpentry to cost effectively provide fantastic lunches outside of the training room along the Riverwalk. A few of the Riverwalk restaurants I am considering include:

Any of these will likely be more pleasant than a catered lunch in the event space. All of these have relatively fast high volume kitchens and take reservations.

Note: The inevitable course related lunch conversations are considered to be critical to training, and students are therefore required to attend all meals. Those of you subject to U.S. General Services Administration regulations will recognize this allows you to participate as you socialize with and learn from your fellow classmates.

Commemorative Drink-ware

Agile Carpentry is expecting to provide commemorative drink-ware for participants. This has been included in the price of the course. In the event of logistical complications, Agile Carpentry reserves the right conduct the training without providing the commemorative drink-ware.

Those of you subject to U.S. General Services Administration regulations regarding gifts will recognize this triggers the gift exclusion rule of “Anything which is paid for by the Government or secured by the Government under Government contract”.

Fiesta

As luck would have it, the course just happens to be scheduled after the annual fiesta along the Riverwalk. For those coming from out of town, consider coming a little early to experience the fiesta.

Fiesta San Antonio Website

Air Force Training Catalogue

This course is now listed in the United State Air Force’s Education and Training Management System (ETMS) under “Certified LeSS Practitioner: Principles to Practices”. This should make getting approval much faster and easier for Air Force related personnel.

As I understand it, since the course is now listed in ETMS, the process only involves the following steps:

  • Submit form SF182 (Authorization, Agreement, and Certification of Training).
  • Once your SF182 is approved, your local purchase card holder will book the course on your behalf.

I have very little insight into the labyrinth of the Air Force requisition process, but hopefully the above incantations will be helpful breadcrumbs for those who need them. If you need more help, please reach out to me and I can direct you to someone who knows a lot more than I do regarding the Air Force specific details.

However it works, please make sure to reach out and let me know you are coming so I can share with you the pre-read content. I am suspicous that might otherwise get lost along the way.

Tickets

May 2 - 4: Get Tickets