Login

Original 4

The classic retrospective that laid the foundation for every method that followed. Built around four questions proposed by Norman Kerth in Project Retrospectives: A Handbook for Team Reviews, it asks what went well, what didn't, what the team learned and what still puzzles it. This timeless structure helps teams reflect honestly and keep striving for continuous improvement.
What went well?
What didn’t go so well?
What have I learned?
What still puzzles me?
Try Template

What is the Original 4 retrospective?

The Original 4 is the classic retrospective format rooted in the work of Esther Derby and Diana Larsen, authors of the foundational book on agile retrospectives. It uses four open questions to guide the team through reflection, balancing celebration, honesty, learning, and open curiosity. Because it is simple and battle-tested, it remains one of the safest choices for teams running their first retrospective or returning to fundamentals.

  • What went well?
  • What didn't go so well?
  • What have I learned?
  • What still puzzles me?

What went well?

Start with successes to build psychological safety. Acknowledging wins reminds the team of its strengths before diving into harder topics.

What didn't go so well?

Discuss the problems and friction without blame. Clear naming of issues is the first step toward fixing them.

What have I learned?

Capture insights gained during the sprint, technical or personal. This turns experience into shared knowledge for the whole team.

What still puzzles me?

Surface open questions and lingering uncertainty. These puzzles often point to the most valuable areas for the team to explore next.

Benefits of this retrospective

  • Proven, widely understood structure
  • Balances positives, negatives, learning, and curiosity
  • Ideal for teams new to retrospectives
  • The puzzle question uncovers hidden risks
  • Flexible enough for any kind of project

How to run the Original 4 retrospective

  1. Create a board in QRetro using the Original 4 template.
  2. Invite your team and let everyone add notes silently.
  3. Group similar cards and read through each column.
  4. Discuss the puzzles to uncover risks and open questions.
  5. Vote on the most important topics to prioritize.
  6. Agree on action items with clear owners and deadlines.
Try Template