🔬💡 Science Lab
Step into the science lab! Together, we'll experiment with our agile processes, explore successful formulae, discard failed experiments, and identify hypotheses to test next. Let’s create groundbreaking ideas for our workflow!
Template Columns
🌟 Eureka Moments
Highlight moments of brilliance and success from our recent work, like discovering a new breakthrough.
Base column: Start🧪 Lab Mishaps
Identify the experiments and approaches that didn’t work or need adjustment to improve.
Base column: Stop🔗 Proven Formulae
Share the techniques and habits that are working well and should be continued in our workflow.
Base column: ContinueAbout this template
The Science Lab retrospective enables teams to explore their successful processes, identify areas needing improvement, and experiment with new workflows.
When to use this template
Use this format when the team needs a structured yet creative opportunity to analyze their methods and innovate new approaches.
How to facilitate
Start by welcoming the team and explaining the Science Lab theme where you will collectively analyze successes, mishaps, and actionable continuations.
Introduce each column: explain that 'Eureka Moments' is to celebrate successes, 'Lab Mishaps' is to discuss lessons from failed attempts, and 'Proven Formulae' is about sustaining effective practices.
Allow team members time to individually reflect and jot down their thoughts for each category on sticky notes or virtual cards.
Facilitate a walkthrough of the submitted items for each column, encouraging discussion to thoroughly explore the underlying themes and emotions.
Collaboratively decide on prioritizing actionable items or ideas to test in the upcoming sprint, ensuring alignment on responsibility and tracking.
Pro Tips
Encourage participants to focus on constructive insights rather than simply labeling successes or failures.
Use metaphoric science terminology to make the activity engaging, such as 'testing hypotheses' or 'analyzing compounds.'
Revisit agreed actions at the start of the next retrospective to assess their progress and outcomes.
FAQ
How can we handle sensitive topics brought up during the retrospective?
Set a foundation of mutual respect and reinforce a no-blame atmosphere to foster open and constructive dialogue.
What if the team struggles to identify 'Eureka Moments'?
Prompt by asking about successful small wins or breakthroughs; even minor achievements count towards improvement.
At a glance
- Duration
30–40 min
- Team Size
4-10 people
- Columns
3 columns
- Base Format
Start, Stop, Continue
Tags
Ready to get started?
Use this template to run your next retrospective