Original 4

The Original 4 format is based on the four fundamental questions proposed by Norman Kerth, widely regarded as one of the pioneers of agile retrospectives. Published in his book Project Retrospectives: A Handbook for Team Reviews (2001), these questions form the foundation of many retrospective practices.

The four questions are:

• What did we do well? And that we might forget if we don't discuss it. This highlights positive practices worth preserving.
• What did we learn? During this sprint. Knowledge gained through experience that the team should retain.
• What should we do differently? In the next sprints. Concrete changes that could improve the team's effectiveness.
• What still puzzles us? Questions or concerns that remain unresolved and deserve further investigation.

This format is particularly valuable because it balances positive reflection with problem-solving. The fourth question - "What still puzzles us?" - is unique and powerful: it gives space for uncertainties and unanswered questions, encouraging curiosity rather than forcing premature conclusions.

Ideal for teams at any maturity level, this format works well as a regular retrospective practice due to its simplicity and depth.