Four Ls Retrospective
A retrospective framework using four prompts: Liked (what went well), Learned (new insights or skills gained), Lacked (what was missing or insufficient), and Longed For (what the team wished they had). It balances positive reflection with constructive critique and captures learning explicitly.
How to run it
- 1
Draw four quadrants on a board: Liked, Learned, Lacked, Longed For.
- 2
Allow 5–7 minutes for participants to silently add sticky notes to each quadrant.
- 3
Go through each quadrant, reading notes aloud and clustering similar themes.
- 4
Discuss the Lacked and Longed For quadrants in depth — these contain the improvement opportunities.
- 5
Prioritise 1–3 items for action using dot voting.
- 6
Assign owners and a timeline for each action item.
Tips
The 'Longed For' category is often the richest — it surfaces aspirations that 'Lacked' might miss.
Don't rush past it.
Variations
For training sessions, adapt to: Liked, Learned, Lacked, Next Steps. For project closures, replace 'Longed For' with 'Legacy'.
Where it fits
Frequently asked questions
When should I use Four Ls Retrospective?â–¾
Use Four Ls Retrospective when you want to: Sprint retrospectives; Training and workshop debriefs; Project close-outs.
How long does Four Ls Retrospective take?â–¾
Four Ls Retrospective typically takes 30–50 minutes.
How many participants does Four Ls Retrospective work for?â–¾
Four Ls Retrospective works best for groups of 3–25 participants.
What materials do I need for Four Ls Retrospective?â–¾
To run Four Ls Retrospective you will need: sticky notes, markers, whiteboard or flip chart.
How difficult is Four Ls Retrospective to facilitate?â–¾
Four Ls Retrospective is rated beginner — straightforward to facilitate even without prior experience.
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