The Good Gardener Retrospective

Good Gardener Retrospective Format

Sow

What should we start or experiment with?

This column represents new beginnings and opportunities. Encourage participants to think about fresh ideas, experiments, and initiatives they'd like to plant the seeds for. Remind them that like seeds, new ideas need proper nurturing and time to grow.

Grow

What do we want to continue investing in?

Focus on existing practices or initiatives that show promise but need continued attention and resources. Like plants needing water and sunlight, these items require ongoing care to reach their full potential.

Harvest

What have we gained?

This represents the fruits of the team's labor - successful outcomes and achievements. Encourage participants to celebrate wins and acknowledge the value created through their efforts. Consider how these successes can seed future improvements.

When to use this retrospective

• When you want to focus on long-term growth and continuous improvement
• During times of organizational change when you need to balance new initiatives with existing processes
• When the team needs a fresh perspective on progress and development
• For teams that respond well to nature-based metaphors and organic growth concepts

Suggested icebreaker questions

• If your team were a garden, what kind of plant would each person be and why?
• What's your favorite season, and how does it reflect your approach to work?

Ideas and tips for your retrospective meeting

• Use real gardening examples to explain the cycle of growth and how it relates to team development
• Encourage participants to think about the resources and conditions needed for their ideas to flourish
• Remember that like plants, some initiatives need more time than others to show results
• Consider seasonal patterns in your team's work when discussing what to sow or harvest
• Help the team understand that not everything planted will grow, and that's part of the learning process