Preparing for CLB – Coaching, Consulting, Training

This page contains LeSS self-study information (references, reading, videos) and a list of upcoming virtual training:

Large-Scale Scrum (LeSS) is a framework for scaling agile development to multiple teams. less.works gives an overview. LeSS builds on top of the Scrum principles such as empiricism, cross-functional self-managing teams and provides a framework for applying that at scale. It provides simple structural rules and guidelines on how to adopt Scrum in large product development.

The Certified LeSS Basics course is a brief introduction into the LeSS Framework. It provides a 1-day overview of the framework and some of the essential concepts that it uses.

The Certified LeSS basics course is for anyone who is involved in a LeSS effort. Basic Scrum knowledge is expected and can be achieved by attending a Certified Scrum Master or a Professional Scrum Master course, or thoroughly reading Scrum introduction material such as the Scrum Primer and practicing Scrum. The Certified LeSS Basics course is often combined with a Scrum course where this will be the last day of a longer Scrum-focused training.

Want to learn more about how companies have implemented LeSS? Please visit the LeSS Case Studies page.

Target Audience

Experienced Scrum Masters and agile coaches
Internal agile coaches and change agents
Senior management, HR, budgeting
Business people and hands-on developers

Detailed Review Content

This review will combine instructor-led structured training, based on the Learning Objectives below, introduction to System Modelling and extensive Q&A that is based on experience of practical implementation and lessons learned by experienced LeSS coaches (example).

Introduction to LeSS
LeSS is Scrum-based approach to scaling
LeSS: the complete picture (principles, rules, guides, experiments)
Local Optimization vs. Global Optimization
Impact of LeSS on organizational design (structures, policies)
The ‘Contract’ Game
Feature Teams vs. Component Teams
LeSS roles and their purposes
- Why is there only one PO in LeSS?
- Role of Scrum Masters
- Role of Managers
How can LeSS scale over up to 8 teams?
Understanding reasons behind attempts to “modify” LeSS

Reading Pre-Requisites /Self-Study

“Must Have” (read):
“Should Have” (read):
“Could Have” (read):
- LeSS Events in NYC
- LeSS Communities Globally
- LeSS Newsletters Archive
- LeSS Articles
- LeSS Books (free download as pdf, with less.works log-in)
- Organizational Flattening with LeSS
- Hexagon of LeSS values
- LeSS Videos
- LeSS Brochure
- LeSS Rules (2-pager)
- LeSS Poster
- CLB Flyer – General
- CLB Flyer-On-Demand
- System Thinking in LeSS transformations (Lv Yi)
- LeSS related Videos
- LeSS Games
- LeSS Adoption Journey (example)
- Product Definition & Exploration Workshop in LeSS
- Agile Contracts, Larman and Vodde
- Agile Contracts, library of Mark Levison
- Tests (assess yourself)
  - Scrum Test
  - LeSS Test
  - In-class CLDs

Scrum Education Units (SEUs)

After attending this review session, students will be able to claim up to 8 SEUs (Scrum Education Units) under Category C, towards Scrum Alliance CSP (Certified Scrum Professional) credential.

LeSS in a Nutshell:

Collection of LeSS Videos.

Webinars & Podcasts on LeSS

Additional Videos

Questions about CLB: (Video Message from CLB Trainer)

Question – Is Certified LeSS Basics (CLB) just a short version of Certified LeSS Professional (CLP) and can taking the former cover all the grounds of taking the latter?

Answer – The Certified LeSS Basics course is a brief introduction into the LeSS Framework. It provides a 1-day overview of the framework and some of the essential concepts that it uses. It will help determining whether LeSS is for you (if further investment in learning LeSS is warranted) However, for successful LeSS adoptions, it is recommended to follow through with taking LeSS Practitioner course.

Question – Can learning about LeSS come though alternative training, other than CLB? At our company, we have people (some of whom have taken CLP in the past), delivering internal LeSS training, sometimes, in the form of LeSS review and sometimes in combination of mixing up LeSS with elements from other frameworks. Would depth, breadth and quality of such training be equivalent to what is covered by CLB?

Answer – CLB can be only taught by a LeSS-Friendly Scrum Trainer or by Certified LeSS Trainers, which is a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) or Certified Enterprise Coach (CEC) with extensive LeSS knowledge. While individuals that just have taken CLP could still be great adapters and ambassadors of LeSS frameworks, guides and experiments, they may not always be able to deliver structured LeSS training in its authentic form, because they were not a part of the original process of defining CLB learning objectives. Further, as some ‘field intelligence’ suggests, LeSS content, when taught internally by internal people, sometimes loses its authenticity and original meaning, because internal trainers feel compelled to teach LeSS, in a ‘safe’ way, so that it does not challenge any existing organizational structures, principles and norms.

Question – Is Certified LeSS Basics (CLB) for everyone or is there a specific target audience for this training?

Answer – The Certified LeSS basics course is for anyone who is involved in a LeSS effort. Basic Scrum knowledge is expected and can be achieved by attending a Certified Scrum Master or a Professional Scrum Master course, or thoroughly reading Scrum introduction material such as the Scrum Primer and practicing Scrum. The Certified LeSS Basics course is often combined with a Scrum course, where it becomes the last day of a longer Scrum-focused training.” Additionally, as some ‘field intelligence’ suggests, CLB could have strong positive impact, when delivered to Scrum-savvy HR and finance people, as well senior leadership, from the same organization, attending together and going through the same learning experience.

Question – How do I maximize the benefit of attending Certified LeSS Basics (CLB)?

Answer – The best way to maximize in-class learning is to come prepared. CLB assumes that a student has good foundational knowledge of Scrum. Further, there is an array of on-line reading, audio and video references that attendees are encouraged to review, prior to attending. The extended list of recommended references can be found on this page. Please, also note that some trainers intentionally teach CLB on weekends, to ensure that people can attend, without compromising their work schedule.

Question – Does Certified LeSS Basics (CLB) come with a recognizable badge and will certification expire after a certain period?

Answer – Certified LeSS Basics (CLB) badge is distinct and recognizable. All participants will be receiving a Certified LeSS Basics certificate and an account on less.works upon completion of training. The LeSS Basics Certificate will not expire. This information can be confirmed on this page of less.works site.