Validated Learning Board
Let's learn faster
The Validated Learning Board (VLB) gives a clear overview of what is in which step of the learning loop. The VLB consists of six columns, with each column representing a step (sketching, building, delivering, using and learning). Finally, there is a final column 'Done' or 'Learned'. In each column these activities are visualized that relate to the items in that specific phase of the learning loop.
Example of a VLB
Why a VLB
The VLB is a powerful tool to improve the learning ability of the teams. It supports the daily focus of actual learning from customers' behaviors. The strength lies in the fact that the teams work with it daily and visualize their work and also use the tool to continuously learn and improve together with stakeholders and customers.
The agile leader has the following tasks:
- Indicate the importance of actual learning.
- Going to the team on a regular basis and asking questions about the progress of learning from users.
- Ensure that the lessons learned are repeated and told on to other teams.
- Ensure that obstacles to the learning speed are removed.
- Ensure that the right stakeholders and customers keep time to be present at the review events.
- Support product managers in stakeholder management.
Practical use of a VLB
See this page on Sjoerdly.nl for more information: https://sjoerdly.com/podcast/10focus-validated-learning-board-tracking-product-development-ideas-edwin-wopereis-kramp/
The toolkit
The steering wheel of the agile leader consists of four components. Each component consists of two practical tools. So in total eight tools. The tools are explained in such a way that leaders can immediately start working on this. The tools can be used separately and as such successful. Of course, all tools together – the toolkit – reinforce each other. It concerns the following eight tools:- KVI – the Key Value Indicator (KVI) is the most important indicator for value creation for the team.
- Impact ladder – for brainstorming and visualizing the customer impact. This helps teams continuously improve their products and services.
- Ownership model – visualizes what teams need to take ownership.
- Freedom matrix – what freedoms and responsibilities does the team have at what time.
- T2L – to measure the business agility.
- Validated Learning Board (VLB) – to visually keep track of the learning process of the team.
- Habit matrix – to support culture change and the design of new habits.
- TO-GRIP – to support the agile leader in implementing major improvements.
