Plus/Delta
How to facilitate Plus/Delta
The facilitator draws a T with the + and Δ symbols heading each column, and asks the team which things from the last sprint they would like to keep because they see them as strengths, and which things could be improved.
Strengths are written down in the + (Plus) column, and areas for improvement in the Δ (Delta) column. The facilitator takes notes as the team speaks, leaving room to think and talk during the time allotted to the activity.
If this activity has been done before, it is advisable to compare the resulting lists with previous ones at the end to see whether any items recur.
When to use it
- As a quick close to a retrospective when time is limited.
- With teams that are just starting out with retrospectives: its simplicity (only two categories) lowers the barrier to entry.
- As an alternative to Starfish when the team needs a shorter or more structured session.
The main difference from the Starfish is the level of granularity: Plus/Delta distinguishes only between "keep" and "change," whereas the Starfish offers five categories (more, less, keep, start, stop) that produce a more nuanced diagnosis at the cost of more time.
Common mistake
Using Plus/Delta in every retrospective. Its simplicity is also its limitation: two columns may fall short for mature teams that need to explore the sprint along more dimensions. If the team has spent several sprints always using Plus/Delta, the retrospective can become predictable and superficial. Alternating it with richer techniques—Timeline, Mad Sad Glad, Starfish—preserves the value of the retrospective.
Resources
📄 Ejemplo: cómo diseñar una sprint retrospective [Example: how to design a Sprint Retrospective] (in Spanish)Scrum Manager Blog · Oct 2022
🔧 Diseñar una retrospectiva [Designing a retrospective] (in Spanish)Template · Scrum Manager
References
- Derby, Esther; Larsen, Diana. (2006). Agile Retrospectives: Making Good Teams Great. Pragmatic Bookshelf.
See also
Want to advance in agility? You can search for course and exam calls or go at your own pace by becoming a member of the Agile Club. This membership includes exclusive resources, e-learning classrooms, and access to Skill Arena: a space to practice and measure your agile skills at your own pace.