The Pros and Cons Retrospective Template

Team decisions made quick and easy! An efficient retrospective idea to help your team make choices.
Pros & Cons Retrospective Illustration for Neatro
Pros & Cons Retrospective Template in Neatro

What is the Pros and Cons retrospective activity?

This retrospective's level of difficulty is easy
Difficulty Level
Easy

Sometimes we have to act quickly and make a decision.

And it is all right. However, we should think collectively about facts that are for and against the resolution to better make data-informed decisions.

This retrospective model aims to bring as many elements as possible to base the decision on a solid, objective, and factual basis.

Okay, let's take an example.

We are part of a software engineering team working with the Scrum framework. Several team members have thought about reducing our Sprint duration from 3 weeks to 2 weeks to accelerate the way we deliver value to our customers.

The idea has made its way through today's retrospective. Indeed, our Scrum Master, with the team's approval, has suggested focusing on this question together.

The 2 elements of Pros and Cons

Retrospective Column Pros in Neatro
Pros
Why we should go ahead with the decision.
e.g., having 2-week Sprints would help us deliver value more frequently.
Retrospective Column Cons in Neatro
Cons
Wait, are we sure this is the right decision?
e.g., our team might be under a lot of stress because of the Sprint length reduction.

Why & when should you use Pros and Cons?

There are plenty of good reasons to use the Pros and Cons activity:

  • Help better understand the issues and consequences behind the decision,

  • Limit uncertainties and risks,

  • Give more importance to the facts,

  • Help team members get involved in your team's decisions.

Obviously, you can pick this technique for a team retrospective from time to time, as long as you have a specific challenge to explore together.

However, why wouldn't you use the Pros and Cons technique when you can actually choose it for any team brainstorm session? ;)

Where can I find the Pros and Cons retrospective?

Many teams love the efficiency and the straightforward approach of the Pros and Cons technique, especially when running retrospectives.

You can try this model with your team for free by signing up for Neatro. No credit card is required. Note that participants do not need to create accounts to join an online retrospective in Neatro.

Discover Neatro's retrospective templates