🔬 Test Lab Adventure
Welcome to the Test Lab! Dive into the science of success as we examine what’s working, what isn’t, and what steps we should carry forward for optimal results. Let’s experiment and optimize our project practices!
Template Columns
🧪 New Experiments
Propose new processes or techniques to try in our next cycle.
Base column: Start🚫 Failed Experiments
Identify practices or behaviors that didn’t yield the desired results.
Base column: Stop✔️ Proven Formulas
Highlight the actions and methods that continue delivering successful outcomes.
Base column: ContinueAbout this template
The 'Test Lab Adventure' retrospective format inspires a collaborative exploration of team practices, focusing on experimenting, learning, and optimization.
When to use this template
Use this template when the team is looking to evaluate past practices and actively explore new ideas for performance optimization.
How to facilitate
Kick off the session by sharing the purpose of the 'Test Lab Adventure' retrospective and explaining the three column categories.
Begin with the 'Proven Formulas' section. Ask team members to recognize practices that consistently lead to success, writing their thoughts on virtual notes.
Progress to 'Failed Experiments,' encouraging members to highlight processes or practices that did not deliver the expected outcomes.
Move to 'New Experiments,' where participants suggest innovative approaches or alterations for improvement.
Review each column collectively, discussing patterns, insights, and innovative ideas.
Create a prioritized action plan based on the discussions, focusing on the steps or experiments to be carried forward.
Conclude the session with a recap of key takeaways and acknowledge the team’s engagement in enhancing performance.
Pro Tips
Encourage candid reflections to maximize learning from unsuccessful practices.
Balance discussions to give equal weight to appreciating past successes and exploring potential improvements.
Use visual aids, like iconography, to represent statuses of suggestions (e.g., active, pending) in the shared review.
FAQ
How can I ensure the team contributes proactively?
Foster a safe, non-judgmental space where all opinions are valued and appreciated.
What if an experiment idea seems risky?
Evaluate its feasibility during the discussion and propose guards or mitigation strategies for safe implementation.
How to handle unproductive criticism during discussions?
Reframe critical statements into constructive feedback and redirect focus toward solutions.
At a glance
- Duration
45-60 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