What style of retrospective have you found to be the most successful and/or useful?

[Jason H]

There are many different styles of retrospective from the classics of Glad/Sad/Mad and the 4L's* through to some really wacky ideas like The Oscars.

What are your go-to favourites?

Do you stick with one style or do you switch depending on the outcome you're looking for?

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* 4L's: Liked/Learned/Lacked/Longed for

[Umar]

I usually switch it up depending on the outcome or how the sprint went.

[Dave Liao]

Love this answer - do you find particular formats useful when a sprint went especially well?

[Umar]

It may sound flaky, but I have found the team to be way more vocal so I would then aim for something that would engage them. 1-2-3-All worked for them.

[Dave Liao]

Doesn't sound flaky at all! :)

[Jason H]

"The Oscars" was an attempt at a fresh theme for regular retro topics. It consisted of five columns:

• Studio backing - what should we start doing (because the studio has loads of cash)
• Alan Smithee - what should we stop doing (when a director quits a movie, the director credits go to Alan Smithee)
• Director's cut - what should we do more of (directors want to spend more)
• Producer's cut - what should we do less of (producers want to spend less)
• And the Oscar goes to - kudos

[Dave Liao]

@Jason H - I switch retrospective formats regularly to keep things fun and interesting for my teams (and me!). If I'm with a team for a long time, this is especially important.

[Brant Schroeder]

I agree with @Dave Liao  It is important to change it up to keep teams engaged and retrospect's a productive activity.