How to Run an Effective 4Ls Retrospective: A Step-by-Step Guide

Meta Description: Learn how to run an effective 4Ls retrospective to improve team collaboration and performance. Discover key steps, best practices, and tips to make your agile retrospectives more impactful.

What is a 4Ls Retrospective?

The 4Ls retrospective is a popular agile retrospective format that helps teams reflect on their performance and identify actionable improvements. The "4Ls" stand for:

• Liked – What went well during the sprint?
• Learned – What new insights or skills were gained?
• Lacked – What was missing or could have been better?
• Longed For – What do we wish we had?

This framework encourages structured reflection, helping teams uncover successes, challenges, and opportunities for growth. The 4Ls retrospective is widely used by Scrum Masters, Agile Coaches, and project managers to foster continuous improvement.

Why Use the 4Ls Retrospective?

Using the 4Ls retrospective format provides several benefits:

• Encourages Balanced Feedback: Covers both successes and areas for improvement.
• Simple and Engaging: Easy for teams to participate without lengthy explanations.
• Supports Continuous Learning: Helps teams identify growth opportunities.
• Works for Any Team Size: Effective for small teams and large-scale agile organizations.

By using a structured retrospective like the 4Ls, teams can ensure that every sprint review leads to tangible improvements.

Step-by-Step Guide to Running a 4Ls Retrospective

Step 1: Set the Stage

Begin by explaining the goal of the 4Ls retrospective to the team. Make sure they understand that the goal is not to assign blame but to reflect and improve. You can also use icebreakers to set a positive tone.

Example Icebreaker: “What’s one thing you learned outside of work this week?”

Step 2: Create the 4Ls Board

Use a digital retrospective tool like RetroTeam or a physical whiteboard to create four labeled sections:

1. Liked ✅
2. Learned 📖
3. Lacked ❌
4. Longed For 💡

Encourage team members to add sticky notes under each category. In remote settings, tools like Miro, MURAL, or RetroTeam work well for digital collaboration.

Step 3: Collect Input from the Team

Give participants 5–10 minutes to add their thoughts under each section. Encourage honest and constructive feedback. Some guiding questions include:

• Liked: What went well this sprint? What processes worked effectively?
• Learned: What insights or new skills did we gain?
• Lacked: What challenges did we face? What was missing?
• Longed For: What could have made the sprint better? What do we wish we had?

Step 4: Discuss & Group Similar Items

Once all inputs are collected, the facilitator should:

1. Read aloud each comment to ensure everyone understands the feedback.
2. Group similar feedback to identify common themes.
3. Encourage discussion on key points to gain deeper insights.

Pro Tip: Use AI-powered grouping in RetroTeam to automatically cluster similar responses, saving time and ensuring clarity.

Step 5: Vote on Key Discussion Points

To prioritize topics, ask team members to vote on the most critical items. This ensures discussions stay focused on the most impactful areas.

A dot voting system or digital voting tools in RetroTeam can make this process seamless.

Step 6: Define Action Items

After discussing key points, the team should:

1. Turn feedback into action items with clear ownership and deadlines.
2. Assign responsibility for each task.
3. Track progress in a project management tool like Jira, Trello, or Asana.

Example action item:
✅ "Improve backlog refinement meetings by defining clear criteria for prioritization before the next sprint."

Step 7: Wrap Up and Reflect

Conclude by summarizing key takeaways and action items. Ask the team:

• How do you feel about this retrospective format?
• What can we improve in our next retro?

Encouraging reflection ensures each 4Ls retrospective gets better over time.

Best Practices for a Successful 4Ls Retrospective

• Encourage Psychological Safety: Team members should feel comfortable sharing honest feedback.
• Keep it Time-Boxed: Aim for a 30–60 minute session to maintain engagement.
• Use Digital Tools for Remote Teams: Platforms like RetroTeam, Miro, or MURAL improve participation.
• Rotate Facilitators: Having different team members facilitate retrospectives keeps things fresh.
• Follow Up on Action Items: Ensure that commitments are tracked and reviewed in the next sprint.

Why RetroTeam is the Best Tool for 4Ls Retrospectives

RetroTeam simplifies retrospectives by offering:

✅ Pre-built 4Ls templates for quick setup
🤖 AI-powered feedback grouping to save time
🔍 Deep insights & analytics for tracking team improvements
🎯 Action item tracking to ensure follow-through

Using a dedicated retrospective tool like RetroTeam streamlines the process, making retros more productive and actionable.

Final Thoughts

The 4Ls retrospective is an excellent framework for agile teams looking to improve collaboration and performance. By focusing on Liked, Learned, Lacked, and Longed For, teams can uncover insights that drive continuous improvement.

By using a structured approach and leveraging tools like RetroTeam, your retrospectives can become more engaging, efficient, and impactful.

Start running better retrospectives today—Try RetroTeam for free! 🚀

FAQs

1. What is the purpose of a 4Ls retrospective?

The 4Ls retrospective helps teams reflect on successes, challenges, and opportunities for improvement in an organized way.

2. How long should a 4Ls retrospective take?

Ideally, a 4Ls retrospective should take 30–60 minutes, depending on team size and discussion depth.

3. Can the 4Ls retrospective be used for non-agile teams?

Yes! The 4Ls format works well for project reviews, workshops, and leadership teams looking for structured feedback.

4. How often should teams run a 4Ls retrospective?

Most agile teams conduct a 4Ls retrospective after every sprint (typically every 1–2 weeks). However, it can also be used for monthly or quarterly reflections.

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By following these steps, your team can run effective 4Ls retrospectives that lead to meaningful improvements and a stronger agile workflow. 🎯

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