4Ls retrospective template

Liked, Learned, Lacked, Longed for. A broader look at the sprint that leaves room for learning and unmet needs.

Start a 4Ls retroFree. No account needed. Share the link and your team joins.

Liked

Learned

Lacked

Longed For

The columns and what to ask

You only have 30 minutes. Four columns need more time to read and cluster.
The team needs quick, concrete process changes. Start / Stop / Continue gets there faster.

Sized for a team of up to eight. Add time for larger groups.

1
Set the stage · 5 min
Explain the four columns. Point out that Learned is as valuable as anything that went wrong.
2
Write cards · 10 min
Everyone fills all four columns silently. It's fine if a card could sit in two of them.
3
Read and cluster · 10 min
Group cards by theme rather than by column. Themes that cross columns often show the real story.
4
Discuss · 25 min
Vote for the themes to discuss. Give Lacked and Longed For the most time, since that is where changes come from.
5
Commit to actions · 10 min
Pick one thing to fix from Lacked and one to try from Longed For, with owners.

Lacked is what was missing (tools, information, time). Longed For is aspirational. If people mix them up, cluster by theme instead.
The Learned column is good raw material for a team wiki, a demo or onboarding notes.
Longed For cards are often ideas for experiments. Choose one to actually try.
Allow a bit longer than a three-column retro. Four columns produce more to read.

What do the 4Ls stand for?: Liked, Learned, Lacked and Longed for. Two columns look back at what happened (Liked, Learned) and two look at gaps and wishes (Lacked, Longed For).
When is 4Ls better than Good / Bad / Improve?: When you want to capture learning and unmet needs as well as problems, most often at the end of a project or after a release.

Your board opens with these columns. Votes, timers and anonymous cards are built in.