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Why do you think that 4 half days is a better format than 2 full days?

Discover why Martin Hinshelwood advocates for 4 half days of Scrum training over 2 full days, enhancing learning in agile environments.

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Why do you think that 4 half days is a better format than 2 full days?

Unpacking the Benefits of Four Half-Days Over Two Full Days

Let’s start with one question I often get asked: “Why do you think that 4 half days is a better format than 2 full days? “🤔

So, let’s dive right in! 🚀

The idea that “four half days is a better format than two full days” for training courses revolves around how humans absorb and process information.   Firstly, it’s related to how we, as humans, learn. Studies have shown that information absorption and retention improve when the learning is spread over a longer duration.

Secondly, it also aligns with the concept of flow efficiency, where we’re looking at the entire system or process (in this case, the learning process) and not just individual resources. In a training context, this approach values the optimal ‘flow’ of information and learning over the maximum ‘usage’ of the training time.

So, yes, in a way, the concept of “four half days being better than two full days” does align with the principles of resource efficiency (the effective use of time and learning experiences) and flow efficiency (the overall effectiveness of the learning process).

Understanding these two kinds of efficiency is more than just a geeky trivia night question. It’s like the secret cheat code 👨‍💻to boss-level Agile gaming. They’re not just dry theory - they’re the power-ups that boost your project management, product development, and service delivery to new high scores. 🎮

Today we’re going on a quest to unlock the secrets of resource and flow efficiency. We’ll delve into their unique attributes, roles in your operations, and why mastering both is like having an invincibility star in your Agile journey.

Let’s get this game started! 🕹️

Understanding the Human Brain and Learning Process

Our brains are incredible pieces of biological machinery, processing vast amounts of information every day. One metaphor I’ve always found intriguing likens our brains to intricate filing cabinets.

🗂️ During the day, we’re pulling out files, examining them, and leaving them strewn about. At night, our brain gets to work tidying up, refiling everything, and processing the day’s events. This is how we solidify knowledge and generate more questions.

Now, consider the dynamics of a full day training session. It’s essentially an information deluge, with concepts and ideas rushing at you for hours on end. While some people might thrive in this intense learning environment, it can also be overwhelming. Cognitive overload is a real concern, and it might lead to less effective learning overall.

On the contrary, four half-days offers more opportunities for this important “filing” process to occur. We’re allowing learners to absorb the content, reflect on it, and then revisit it the next day with fresh insights and questions.

The benefits of this approach include:

  • Better absorption of content 📚

  • Time to generate and explore new ideas 💡

  • Opportunities to reflect on and apply learning 💭

Exploring More Effective Training Formats

But wait - the learning evolution doesn’t stop here. ⏱️Despite the advantages of the four half-day format, it’s not the pinnacle of training design. Why? Because we’re still cramming everything into a single week.

To address this, we’re exploring other formats that could offer even more value. For instance, we’re introducing formats like four half-days spread over two weeks or even eight half days over eight weeks. This provides participants more flexibility and time to apply what they’ve learned in their real-world contexts before the next session.

Imagine this: At the end of each session, participants receive assignments to implement with their teams. The next session starts with a debrief of these assignments. It’s an iterative, continuous learning process that enhances understanding and boosts practical application.

The Value of Continuous Learning

This new approach emphasizes more learning loops. 🔄 Participants can try new things with their teams, gather feedback, and adjust accordingly - all while still in the learning process.

The goal here isn’t just to learn - it’s to learn, apply, adapt, and learn some more. That’s the heart of continuous improvement, after all.

In conclusion, I believe that a four half-days format is superior to two full days for a multitude of reasons. However, the evolution of training design doesn’t stop here, and I’m excited about the potential of new formats we’re exploring.

As a community of learners and leaders, I encourage you to reflect on this: How can we keep pushing the boundaries to create training environments that promote not just learning but effective application and continuous improvement? 💡

Don’t just stop at reading, put these insights into action!

Embrace the benefits of the four half-days approach, and join us as we explore the frontiers of innovative training formats to foster an environment of effective learning and continuous improvement.

Let’s redefine the learning landscape together! 💡🚀

Keywords:       Keywords: Training Design, Continuous Learning, Four Half-Days,

Specific:           #trainingdesign, #FlowEfficiency, #Optimization, #AgileProcesses

Hashtags:   

#Agile, #AgileCoach, #Scrum, #ScrumMaster, #AgileCentre, #ProductOwner, #BusinessAnalyst, #AgileProjectManagement, #BusinessAgility, #ScrumTraining, #AgileProductDevelopment.

Question is why do I think that four half days is a better format than two full days.

I think it’s a better format because of two things. One is that it allows people to spend a little bit of time absorbing the content of maybe reading up on some questions and additional ideas that they thought of during the class. So over four half days, even if they’re consecutive, people are able to rearrange their filing cabinets. I remember somebody telling me that our brains are like filing cabinets. It’s just a metaphor, right? But brings all that filing cabinets and during the day we’re pulling stuff out and looking at it and leaving it lying around. And then at night when we’re sleeping, our brain goes and refiles everything, processing all of the events of the day. That can solidify knowledge, generate more questions. Right? So that’s why I really like that four half day format.

But in fact, the four half day format is sub-optimal as well. We’re doing everything within one week. So we’re trying to move towards other formats that might be more valuable. So we’re already starting to introduce, especially for private customers, classes of maybe over two weeks, four half days over two weeks. Right? So do Tuesday, Wednesday, Tuesday, Wednesday or longer immersive classes over a much longer period of time. So maybe eight half days over eight weeks. And that gives much more capability for the people that are participating in the class to go and try stuff with their team, try stuff in their organisation, and then come back around.

In fact, in the eight half day format specifically for the PSPO, the product owner class initially, we’re going to be giving them assignments at the end of each session. So part of the next session will be a debrief of the previous assignment. That might be quite a lot of the time in that session. Right? Here was an assignment you had to go into your organisation, try to do something different, try to work with the teams in a different way. What was the outcome of that? What’s your feedback? And what’s going to be your next iteration on that story?

So it’s effectively the same as the traditional product owner class, but we have the extra time to do the assignments and do the review of the assignments, the debriefs, and hopefully create something that allows more loops of learning. Right? People are able to actually try things with their teams, close that feedback loop with the trainer, and perhaps learn even more than we would in a normal class.

People and Process Discovery and Learning Continuous Learning Continuous Improvement Pragmatic Thinking
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