Exploring the Less Common “Box of the Future” Retrospective

Discover a unique retrospective approach that might not be as popular but is truly intriguing: the “Box of the Future.” This retrospective maintains the classic retrospective essence while introducing a different format. If you’re looking to shake things up and try new formats, this might be the one for you.

For more retrospective ideas, feel free to explore our collection on our dedicated page: [Our Retrospectives](https://www.myagilepartner.com/blog/index.php/retrospectives-blog/)

Materials Needed for the “Box of the Future” Retrospective

To conduct this retrospective, you’ll require specific materials:

• Post-it notes (red, green, and blue)
• A large window or a board for drawing
• Red-colored markers
• A shoe box
• A pair of scissors

The overall time needed for this retrospective is around 40 minutes.

Step-by-Step Process

The “Box of the Future” retrospective offers a fresh approach while retaining the essence of a productive retrospective. It incorporates well-known Scrum retrospective concepts in a new format.

Preparation:
The Scrum Master should create the “Box of the Future” using a shoe box. Cut the cover to create three compartments within the box and craft three panels for drawing the following indicators: +, recycle, STOP.

Draw three separate zones on the board or craft paper on the wall, each labeled: +, recycle, and STOP.

Step 1: Input Collection

Allow participants 5 minutes to write on Post-it notes (using corresponding colors) what they view as positives (+) in the team, what can be improved (recycle), and what should be stopped (STOP). Place the Post-it notes in the respective compartments of the box.

Duration: 10 minutes

Step 2: Discussion

Participants take turns picking a Post-it note from the box, starting with the + compartment, then recycle, and ending with STOP. Engage in discussions around each written point.

Duration: 15 minutes

Step 3: Improvement Ideas

Allocate 5 minutes for participants to write improvement ideas on Post-it notes, ensuring one idea per note. Each participant briefly explains their ideas.

Duration: 10 minutes

Step 4: Prioritization

Conduct a Dot Voting to determine the top 3 improvement ideas the team will focus on during the upcoming sprint. The ideas are represented by the “idea” section at the bottom right of the learning matrix.

Remember to designate a volunteer responsible for overseeing the implementation of these improvement ideas. Empowerment is key to ensure these ideas don’t get forgotten after the retrospective concludes.

Duration: 10 minutes

Conclusion

Varying retrospective formats is essential to prevent monotony. The “Box of the Future” format offers a unique yet classic retrospective experience, achieving the objectives while introducing a fresh approach.

Useful link: [Retrospective in French](https://blog.myagilepartner.fr/index.php/retrospective/)