How do you use the 4Ls technique to run effective retrospectives?

2 How to prepare for the 4Ls retrospective?

Before running the 4Ls retrospective, it is important to do some preparation work to ensure a successful session. A facilitator should be chosen to guide the discussion, keep the time, and manage the logistics. Invite the team members and stakeholders who were involved in the last sprint or iteration, and make sure everyone is aware of the purpose and agenda of the retrospective. Additionally, a space should be prepared for the team to meet, either physically or virtually, and it should be comfortable, private, and equipped with the necessary tools. Lastly, set a time limit for the retrospective, usually between 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the size and complexity of the team and the project.

3 How to run the 4Ls retrospective?

Once you have prepared for the 4Ls retrospective, you can start the session by welcoming the team and explaining the ground rules, such as respecting each other, being honest, and focusing on improvement. Introduce the 4Ls technique and the four categories, using a visual aid, such as a quadrant diagram, to display them on the whiteboard or screen. Ask the team members to write down their thoughts on each category on sticky notes or online cards, giving them 10 to 15 minutes to think and write. Then, ask the team members to share their notes with the group and stick them on the corresponding quadrant or column. Encourage them to ask questions, clarify, and comment on each other's notes, grouping similar or related notes together and identifying common themes or patterns. Discuss the findings and insights from the 4Ls exercise, highlighting the positive aspects and the areas for improvement. Generate and prioritize action items based on the discussion, using a voting system, such as dot voting or ranking, to select the most important or urgent actions. Assign owners and deadlines for each action item and document them.

4 How to follow up on the 4Ls retrospective?

The 4Ls retrospective is not complete without a proper follow-up process. To ensure that the action items are implemented and monitored, and that the team learns from the feedback and the results, you should send a summary of the retrospective, including the 4Ls notes, the findings, and the action items, to the team and the stakeholders. Additionally, track the progress and status of the action items and communicate them to the team and the stakeholders regularly. Utilize a tool, such as a task board or a spreadsheet, to update and visualize the action items. Finally, review the action items and their outcomes in the next retrospective. Evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the actions and celebrate the achievements, while also identifying any new or unresolved issues or gaps and planning for the next steps.