Login

Liked - Lacked - Change Retrospective Template

A reflective format that moves from observation straight to ownership of change. The team names what it liked and what it lacked, then splits change into two columns — what each person can do differently and what the team can change together. Separating personal and collective action makes the resulting commitments clearer and more actionable.
Liked
Lacked
What can I change?
What can we change?
Try Template

What is the Liked, Lacked, Change retrospective?

The Liked, Lacked, Change retrospective is a lightweight, feeling-aware format that helps teams reflect quickly without losing depth. It starts with what people appreciated, moves to what was missing, and then splits change into two scopes: what each person can change themselves and what the team should change together. That split between personal and shared ownership is what makes this template especially actionable.

  • Liked
  • Lacked
  • What can I change?
  • What can we change?

Liked

Note what felt good during the sprint, from smooth processes to supportive teammates. This column sets a constructive tone and highlights practices worth keeping.

Lacked

Identify what was missing, whether it was clarity, resources, time, or communication. Naming gaps points the team toward concrete improvements.

What can I change?

Each member reflects on what is within their own control. Personal ownership turns retrospectives into real behavior change rather than wishful thinking.

What can we change?

Shift to collective responsibility. Here the team agrees on shared adjustments that no single person can make alone.

Benefits of this retrospective

  • Fast to run yet emotionally honest
  • Balances personal and team-level ownership
  • Surfaces gaps that other formats miss
  • Easy for newcomers to understand
  • Produces clear, owned action items

How to run the Liked, Lacked, Change retrospective

  1. Create a board in QRetro using the Liked, Lacked, Change template.
  2. Invite your team and let everyone add cards privately first.
  3. Reveal the notes and group similar themes together.
  4. Discuss each column, starting with Liked to build momentum.
  5. Vote on the changes that matter most this sprint.
  6. Assign owners to both personal and team commitments.
Try Template