Plus / Delta Retrospective
The fastest retro there is: two columns, five minutes — what worked, and what we'll change.
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The board
01
PLUS
What worked well?
02
DELTA
What should we change?
Plus/Delta is the most stripped-down retrospective there is: one column for what worked (Plus) and one for what you'd change next time (Delta). No metaphor, no five categories — just two questions you can run in five minutes at the end of any meeting, not only at sprint boundaries.
Its power is speed and low ceremony. Because there's nowhere to hide a vague observation, Plus/Delta pushes people to be concrete — a Delta is a change you'd actually make, not a complaint. It's the ideal format for teams new to retros, for very short cycles, or for wrapping up a workshop or incident review.
When to use a Plus / Delta Retrospective
- Time-boxed retros — a five-minute wrap-up at the end of any meeting or workshop
- Teams new to retrospectives who need the lowest-friction starting point
- Very short cycles (kanban, continuous flow) where a full metaphor format is overkill
- Post-incident or post-event reviews that just need 'what worked / what to change'
How to run a Plus / Delta Retrospective
- 1
Keep it short on purpose
Plus/Delta works because it's quick. Timebox the whole session to about 15 minutes and say so at the start.
- 2
Write Deltas as changes, not complaints
A Delta says what to do differently next time: "send the agenda a day earlier", not "the meeting was disorganised".
- 3
Do one round of voting
Even in a short session, a quick vote stops the loudest Delta from taking all the time.
- 4
Leave with one change
Pick the top Delta, give it an owner, and stop. If the team needs more depth, schedule a full retro with a bigger format.
Anonymous writing, voting, grouping and action items work the same as in any Retromik retro.
Example cards
What good cards look like for a software team. Specific, about the work, never about a person.
PLUS
- The kickoff had a clear goal written on the board.
- Everyone got to speak in the demo prep.
- We finished on time.
DELTA
- Send the agenda a day before.
- Invite Support to the planning session.
- Fewer slides, more live demo.
A 15-minute agenda
- 0–2 minFrame what you're reviewing
- 2–7 minWrite Plus and Delta cards
- 7–9 minVote
- 9–13 minDiscuss the top Deltas
- 13–15 minPick one change and an owner
Common mistakes
- Deltas written as complaints. Rewrite them as "next time, we will…".
- Using Plus/Delta as the only retro for months. It's too light to surface deeper problems.
- Skipping the vote because the session is short.
- Leaving with several changes. A short format earns one.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Plus/Delta retrospective?
A minimalist two-column retrospective: Plus for what worked and should continue, Delta for what the team would change next time. It is the fastest, lowest-ceremony retro format, often run in five minutes at the end of a meeting rather than only at sprint boundaries.
What's the difference between a Delta and a complaint?
A Delta is a specific change you would actually make — 'timebox standup to 10 minutes' — not a vague grievance like 'standups are too long.' Framing the column as 'change' rather than 'bad' keeps it constructive and action-oriented.
When should I use Plus/Delta instead of a bigger format?
Use it when time is tight, the team is new to retros, or the cycle is short. For deeper reflection on momentum, risks, or emotions, a format like Sailboat, Speed Car, or Mad-Sad-Glad gives more structure.
Is the Plus/Delta template free?
Yes. Retromik is free — create a Plus/Delta board, share the link, and guests join without an account. Cards stay anonymous while people write.
Can you use Plus/Delta after meetings and events, not just sprints?
Yes, it's one of its best uses. Run it in the last ten minutes of a workshop, an offsite or a planning session while everything is fresh. Retromik boards work the same way for any meeting, not only sprints.
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ViewRun a Plus / Delta Retrospective with your team
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