DAKI
Welcome to the DAKI retro—reflect, adapt, and grow by examining what to Drop, Add, Keep, and Improve in our sprint.
Template Columns
Drop
Identify practices or items to discard for better flow.
Base column: DropAdd
Propose new ideas or tools to enhance our process.
Base column: AddKeep
Highlight successful habits we should continue.
Base column: KeepImprove
Spot areas needing refinement for higher performance.
Base column: ImproveAbout this template
A quick sprint retro where the team decides what to Drop, Add, Keep, and Improve to continuously refine their workflow.
When to use this template
Use when you need a balanced view of current practices and fresh ideas, especially after a few sprints of stable work.
How to facilitate
The facilitator opens the session, reminds the team of the DAKI purpose and sets a timebox for each column.
Team members silently add items to the Drop, Add, Keep, and Improve columns using the shared board.
Once brainstorming is complete, the facilitator invites participants to read each item aloud and briefly explain its relevance.
The group discusses each column, clustering similar ideas and clarifying any ambiguities.
The team votes on the most important items and assigns owners and due dates for concrete actions.
Pro Tips
Limit each column to 3–5 items to keep the conversation focused and actionable.
Encourage silent brainstorming in the chat before speaking to give quieter voices a chance to contribute.
Timebox each column (e.g., 5 minutes) and use a visible timer to maintain momentum.
FAQ
What if the team can't agree on which items to prioritize?
Use dot voting or a quick thumbs‑up poll to surface the most popular items, then discuss any remaining disagreements briefly before finalizing actions.
How many items should we aim for per column?
Aim for 3–5 high‑impact items per column; fewer items keep the retro tight and ensure each receives adequate attention.
Can Drop and Improve overlap, and how should we handle that?
If an item appears in both, clarify whether it’s a practice to eliminate entirely (Drop) or a current habit that needs refinement (Improve) and place it in the most appropriate column.
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At a glance
- Duration
45–60 min
- Team Size
4-12 people
- Columns
4 columns
- Base Format
Drop, Add, Keep, Improve
Tags
Ready to get started?
Use this template to run your next retrospective