# What's Working / What's Not Working

Participants write observations into two columns: what supported progress and what hindered it. The group reviews the notes, identifies priorities, and assigns owners to concrete action items.

**Time:** 25 minutes. UWT suggested duration. The basic source outlines a rapid review; 25 minutes allows adequate time for action assignment in groups up to 24.
**People:** 4 to 24. Individual silent writing followed by full-group review or paired clustering.

## Choose this exercise

**Purpose:** Sort recent project experiences into successes to maintain and obstacles to resolve.
**Use it when:** At the close of a sprint, project phase, or event when a rapid, structured review is needed without complex metaphors.
**Skip it when:** When a team needs deep root-cause analysis, sensitive conflict mediation, or an open-ended strategic reset.

## Materials and tools

- Sticky notes (two different colors, or standard pads)
- Markers or pens for all participants
- Wall space, whiteboard, or poster board split into two columns: 'Working' and 'Not Working (Stuck)'
- Timer

## Before participants arrive

1. Draw a vertical line down the center of the board.
2. Label the left column 'Working' and the right column 'Not Working (Stuck)'.
3. Place sticky notes and pens within easy reach of all seats.

## Say this to open

We are looking back at our recent work using two simple categories: what is working and what is not working. First, write your observations silently on sticky notes. Put positive practices and successes under Working. Put roadblocks and slowdowns under Not Working. Then we will review them together and assign clear next steps.

## How to run it

### 1. Introduce and prompt (3 minutes)

Explain the two columns. Distribute materials. Provide a clear neutral example: 'Working: daily standups kept handoffs clean. Not Working: waiting two days for staging deployment approvals.' Remind participants that notes can cover tools, processes, or communication.

### 2. Silent writing and posting (6 minutes)

Set a timer for 5 minutes. Participants silently write one idea per note and post them in the corresponding column on the board. Participants may post as many notes as they wish or choose to observe without posting.

### 3. Review and cluster (7 minutes)

Read through the posted items aloud. Group similar or duplicate notes together. Ask brief clarifying questions if an item is unclear, but hold problem-solving until the next step.

### 4. Action planning (6 minutes)

Focus on the 'Not Working' column. Ask the group to select one to three priority issues. For each selected issue, agree on a direct corrective action and assign an owner who commits to driving it.

### 5. Closing summary (3 minutes)

Summarize the primary items to keep doing from the 'Working' column and confirm the owners and deadlines for the action items agreed upon.


## Debrief questions

- Which positive practice from the 'Working' side is most critical to protect?
- Does our planned action for the top obstacle address the cause or just a symptom?
- What is one thing we will do differently starting tomorrow?

**Finished output:** A board with clustered reflections and a list of specific action items, each with an assigned owner.

## Remote

Use a digital whiteboard with two columns labeled 'Working' and 'Not Working'. Give participants 5 minutes to add digital cards. Group duplicates collaboratively on screen. Type agreed action owners directly next to the priority cards.

## Hybrid

Set up a shared digital board accessible by all. In-person participants add cards using laptops, or a designated scribe inputs physical sticky notes onto the shared board so remote participants can read and cluster simultaneously.

## Access and participation choices

- Participants may submit notes anonymously or pass on verbal discussion.
- Provide digital or large-print markers to assist legibility.

## If the session gets stuck

**The 'Not Working' column becomes a list of vague complaints without actionable solutions.**

Ask the author or the room: 'What specific change in our workflow would resolve or reduce that issue?'

**One person dominates the discussion during the review phase.**

Use structured turn-taking: invite comments specifically from participants who have not spoken yet, or limit remarks to one minute per person.


## Terms used here

- Sprint: A fixed time period during which specific work is planned and completed.

## Sources and adaptation

Observed in EasyRetro template library as 'What's Working What's Not Working Retrospective' by EasyRetro Team.

Retained the two-column mechanic ('Working' and 'Not Working/Stuck') and five-stage flow from the EasyRetro template. UWT expanded the protocol into a timed 25-minute run sheet, added clear turn-taking, defined cluster steps, and provided hybrid accommodations.

[EasyRetro](https://easyretro.io/templates/what-is-working-what-is-not-working/)

Current run sheet: https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/what-s-working-what-s-not-working/