Solution-focused goal-driven retrospectives

When people think about what's not working, they tend to be in a more negative mood, which then tends to lead to a more narrow perspective... and frankly tends to just be depressing.

I first noticed this phenomenon when doing current state value stream analysis and I suspect the same effect is occurring to a lesser extent with the start of traditional retrospectives.

I've begun experimenting with a different style of retrospective inspired by solution-focus and previous experiments with goal-driven retrospectives:

1. Identify the Ideal State / True North / Future Perfect using the Miracle Question.  "Imagine that a miracle occurred and all our problems have been solved.  How could you tell? What would be different?" The idea here is that we want to make sure everyone is on the same page around where we want to go.
• Each person works individually using sticky notes
• Share and group results into Goals
• Discuss and resolve differences in vision
This activity would be shorter in subsequent retrospectives as it would be more a review and adjustments.
2. Identify where we are now using the Scaling Question.  "If 10 is the ideal and 0 is where nothing is working, where are we now?"  The idea here is to remind people that we are not at 0.
3. Identify what we are already doing that works.  "What are we already doing that works? That is, why are we [for example] 5 rather than 0?"  The idea here is to identify existing resources, strengths, practices that we can leverage for improvement.
• Each person works individually using sticky notes
• Share and group results into Resources
4. Identify how to move toward the ideal.  "Using the resources we have, what can we do to move one step closer to 10?"  The idea here is to identify the next incremental step to move toward the ideal.
• Identify Actions for each of the Goals.

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So far, my first attempt at this style worked out quite well and maintained quite a positive mood throughout.

If you try this style of retrospective, I'd be interested in hearing about your experiences.