🧪🔬 Testing Lab
Welcome to the lab! Let’s test our project elements like a scientist dissecting an experiment. Share what formulas worked, analyze what failed, add new theories, and refine the process for our next iteration.
Template Columns
🛑 Failed Experiments
Identify the methods or actions that were unsuccessful and should be avoided going forward.
Base column: Drop💡 New Hypotheses
Share innovative ideas and suggestions that can enhance the team's performance.
Base column: Add✅ Proven Formulas
Highlight the practices that consistently brought value and should continue.
Base column: Keep🔧 Lab Refinements
Discuss areas and techniques that require improvement for better results next time.
Base column: ImproveAbout this template
The Testing Lab retrospective encourages a scientific approach by examining successes, failures, new ideas, and areas for improvement.
When to use this template
Use this template to foster a learning culture by analyzing past actions with an experimental perspective and preparing improvements.
How to facilitate
Start by setting up the context, introducing the lab theme, and explaining each column's purpose.
Begin with the 'Failed Experiments' column and guide the team to identify and discuss methods or actions that didn't succeed.
Move to the 'Proven Formulas' column to discuss effective practices that the team should continue.
Switch to 'New Hypotheses' for brainstorming fresh ideas and strategies that could improve team performance.
Address 'Lab Refinements' to discuss and document areas requiring enhancement and specific improvement suggestions.
Conclude with summarizing key insights and actions, prioritizing them collectively, and agreeing on next steps.
Pro Tips
Encourage participants to first reflect individually before sharing with the group to promote more thoughtful contributions.
Tie discussions to measurable results where possible to better understand the impact of the identified actions.
Create a safe space for discussing failures by emphasizing the perspective of learning rather than blaming.
FAQ
How to handle disagreements around what 'failed'?
Facilitate open dialogue to explore different perspectives and agree on outcomes based on data or majority consensus.
What if the team struggles to suggest new hypotheses?
Prompt them with examples or guide brainstorming by focusing on unmet objectives or recently observed opportunities.
Can this retrospective be modified for a larger team?
Yes, breaking into smaller groups to discuss specific columns can help ensure everyone contributes effectively.
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