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Actions for Retrospectives

Actions for Retrospectives is a structured method to help teams reflect on past projects or events and identify actionable improvements. It encourages participants to explore different aspects such as challenges, potential risks, and positive elements, fostering a comprehensive analysis that leads to practical future enhancements.

Duration
1h
Group size
5–8 people
Materials
Large paper or whiteboard, Pens, Sticky notes in different colors

How to run it

  1. 1

    Draw a large 2x2 matrix with a central square labeled 'Actions' for committed changes.

  2. 2

    Label the four quadrants as 'Appreciations,' 'Puzzles,' 'Risks,' and 'Wishes.'

  3. 3

    Distribute pens and sticky notes, assigning a color to each quadrant. Allow participants 5-10 minutes per category to write down their thoughts.

  4. 4

    Have participants post their notes on the chart, then group similar ideas together.

  5. 5

    Discuss the feasibility and impact of the ideas, focusing on developing practical actions for improvement.

Tips

  • Encourage open sharing by framing 'Risks' as opportunities for improvement.

  • Introduce each quadrant just before it’s time to focus on it to maintain concentration.

  • Create a relaxed atmosphere to promote candid discussions and innovative thinking.

Variations

You can adapt this method for virtual environments using digital collaboration tools to simulate the physical chart and sticky notes. Adjust the time for each segment based on the group's engagement and discussion depth.

Where it fits

Project retrospectivesEvent debriefsProcess improvement sessions
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Method descriptions on Workshop Weaver are original content written by our team, based on established facilitation practices. This method was inspired by work from Gamestorming.

Actions for Retrospectives — Facilitation Method | Workshop Weaver