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Criterion
A structured reflection surfaces what was liked, learned, lacked, and longed for. It is a conversation format and does not validate actions automatically.
Agile
4Ls Retrospective
Process Mapping method illustration showing its working structure
Operations
Process Mapping
Paper illustration for Sailboat Retrospective
Agile
Sailboat Retrospective
Paper illustration of a review with planned work, actual event sequence, comparison, and assigned improvement actions.
Operations
After-Action Review
Purposedifferent
When a sprint should not only be assessed but also learned from, it captures experience in clear learning categories. It records what worked, what's missing, and what should run differently next time.With a confusing workflow that has many handoffs, the method makes the actual process visible. It shows where work is passed on, delayed, or duplicated, so improvement targets the right spots.When a team wants to read momentum, brakes, and risks together, it offers an easily understandable picture of the situation. It makes drive, obstacles, and headwind visible in the same picture.After missions or project phases with unclear outcomes, the method makes visible what actually happened and what can be learned from it. It separates course, effect, and causes so experience turns into solid improvement.
Complexitydifferent
LowMediumLowLow
Timedifferent
45–75 min1-3 h45-90 min20-45 min
Participantsdifferent
Team members involved3-104-123-12
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshopWorkshopWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
4Ls Board, Learning Themes, Improvement ActionsProcess Map, Handoff List, Improvement BacklogSailboat Board, Risks, Improvement ActionsLessons learned, Action items, Event summary
Tagsno overlap
RetrospectiveLearningReflectionTeam
ProcessOperationsImprovement
RetrospectiveTeamImprovement
LearningOperationsImprovement
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