Analysis · intermediate · 20 min

Rose, Bud, Thorn Retrospective

A simple retrospective technique to gather feedback on what went well (Rose), what has potential (Bud), and what needs improvement (Thorn). Use it to quickly understand team sentiment and identify areas for growth.

What participants gain

  • Participants will be able to provide constructive feedback on the sprint planning process.
  • Participants will be able to identify areas for improvement in the team's workflow.
  • Participants will be able to contribute to the development of actionable insights for future sprints.

Materials needed

  • Whiteboard or flip chart
  • Markers
  • Post-it notes (different colors)
  • Timer
  • Pre-drawn Rose, Bud, Thorn template

How to run Rose, Bud, Thorn Retrospective, step by step

  1. Introduce the Rose, Bud, Thorn retrospective technique.
  2. Explain the meaning of each category: Rose (what went well), Bud (potential opportunities), Thorn (what needs improvement).
  3. Give each participant a few minutes to write down their thoughts on separate post-it notes for each category.
  4. Have each participant share their feedback, placing their post-it notes in the corresponding columns on the whiteboard.
  5. Facilitate a discussion about the key themes and insights that emerge from the feedback.
  6. Identify 2-3 actionable insights that the team can implement in the next sprint.
  7. Assign ownership for each action item.
  8. Thank the team for their participation.

Facilitator tips

  • Encourage honest and open feedback, creating a safe space for sharing both positive and negative experiences.
  • Focus on actionable insights that can be implemented in the next sprint.
  • Keep the retrospective focused and time-boxed to avoid getting bogged down in details.

Common challenges

  • Dominating voices - Ensure everyone has a chance to contribute, perhaps using a round-robin approach.
  • Focusing only on negative feedback - Encourage participants to also share positive experiences and potential opportunities.
  • Lack of concrete action items - Translate insights into specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) action items.

Running it virtually

Create a shared virtual whiteboard with three columns labeled 'Rose,' 'Bud,' and 'Thorn.' Participants can add virtual sticky notes to each column with their feedback.

Expected results

A clear understanding of what went well, what has potential, and what needs improvement during the sprint planning process. This will inform future sprint planning sessions and improve team performance.

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