methodatlas
Compare

View methods side by side.

Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.

Criterion
Paper illustration of a review with planned work, actual event sequence, comparison, and assigned improvement actions.
Operations
After-Action Review
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
Paper illustration for Mad Sad Glad
Agile
Mad Sad Glad
Purposedifferent
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.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.When a team's or workshop's mood needs to become readable, it structures emotional signals with little setup. It makes strain, relief, and sources of energy tangible.
Complexitysame
LowLowLow
Timedifferent
20-45 min45–75 min30-60 min
Participantsdifferent
3-12Team members involved3-10
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Lessons learned, Action items, Event summary4Ls Board, Learning Themes, Improvement ActionsEmotion Board, Themes, Action Items
Tagsno overlap
LearningOperationsImprovement
RetrospectiveLearningReflectionTeam
RetrospectiveTeamReflection
Add more methods

Often compared together

Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Paper illustration of a team retrospective with three separate Start, Stop, and Continue areas and a shared action list.
Agile
Start Stop Continue
Paper illustration for Learning Review.
Operations
Learning Review
Paper illustration for Sailboat Retrospective
Agile
Sailboat Retrospective
The Scrum Team inspects people, interactions, processes, tools, and the Definition of Done, then agrees on a few testable improvements.
Agile
Sprint Retrospective