The Master Baker

Master Baker Retrospective Format

Under-baked

What did we not spend enough time on?

This column helps identify tasks or initiatives that need more attention. Guide the team to consider not just what was rushed, but also important matters that were overlooked entirely. Encourage specific examples rather than general statements.

Perfectly Baked

What did we spend just enough time on?

Focus on identifying successful time allocation that the team should maintain. These are practices worth preserving and potentially replicating in other areas. Help the team understand what made these activities well-balanced.

Overbaked

What did we spend too much time on?

Help the team identify activities that consumed disproportionate time or energy relative to their value. Guide discussion toward constructive solutions rather than complaints. Focus on finding efficiency opportunities.

When to use this retrospective

• When the team needs to evaluate and optimize their time management across different activities
• After completing a significant project phase to assess time allocation effectiveness
• When there's a sense that some activities are getting too much or too little attention
• During periods of high workload when prioritization becomes crucial

Suggested icebreaker questions

• If your last sprint was a baked good, what would it be and why?
• What's your favorite recipe for success when working on challenging projects?

Ideas and tips for your retrospective meeting

• Encourage specific examples rather than general statements to make the discussion more actionable
• Use timeboxing for each topic to avoid the irony of poor time management in a time management retrospective
• Keep a parking lot for improvement ideas that arise during the discussion
• Focus on systemic patterns rather than one-off incidents
• End with clear, actionable items to adjust time allocation in the next sprint
• Consider using relative sizing to compare time spent across different activities