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Rose, Thorn, Bud retrospective

Everyone shares a rose, something that went well, a thorn, something that was hard, and a bud, an idea that could grow. It is short and balanced, and it works for any team.

3 columns · 30 to 45 minutes · Free, no sign-up

Your team joins with the link.

When to run a Rose, Thorn, Bud retro

  • A light retro for a regular sprint, or for a team new to retros.
  • When you want everyone to share a little of each: the good, the hard and the hopeful.
  • Mixed groups, such as a project team drawn from several departments.

The three columns

Each column asks the team one question. Read the questions out before anyone writes, so everyone answers the same ones.

Rose, Thorn, Bud retrospective template: Rose, Thorn and Bud columns with example cards
The Rose, Thorn, Bud retrospective template, with two example cards in each column.

  1. Rose (Success)

    What went well, or what are you proud of?

    For example

    Beta users loved the new search

    Anonymous

  2. Thorn (Challenge)

    What was hard, or what hurt?

    For example

    Two people off sick in release week

    Anonymous

  3. Bud (Opportunity)

    What idea or opportunity could grow?

    For example

    Turn the search feedback into a survey

    Anonymous

How to run a Rose, Thorn, Bud retrospective

About 30 to 45 minutes for a team of five to eight, in one shared room.

  1. Open the room

    Press Start a retro with Rose, Thorn, Bud: the room opens with the three columns ready, and teammates join from its link with just a name.

  2. Warm up

    Every retro opens with a warm-up question. Answers stay hidden until someone reveals them, then everyone reads them at once.

  3. Write in private

    Give everyone six minutes on the shared timer, and ask for at least one rose, one thorn and one bud each. Nobody sees anyone else's cards until the reveal.

  4. Reveal and group

    Anyone can reveal the board, after a three-second countdown. Drag cards that say the same thing onto each other to group them.

  5. Talk it through

    Read the roses and thorns, then spend the most time on the buds: they are where the action points usually come from.

  6. Agree on action points

    Add each decision as an action point from the board's sidebar. The summary lists them, and a retro run under a team keeps them on the team's page.

Formats like Rose, Thorn, Bud

All 11 templates →

  • Mad Sad Glad

    Give feelings a place: what frustrated, disappointed and pleased the team.

    Mad · Sad · Glad

  • 4 Ls

    Reflect on what you liked, learned, lacked and longed for.

    Liked · Learned · Lacked · Longed For

  • Plus Delta

    Two columns for a fast retro: what worked and what to change.

    Plus · Delta

Questions about Rose, Thorn, Bud retros

What does Rose, Thorn, Bud mean?

A rose is a success, a thorn is a challenge and a bud is an opportunity that could grow. Each column in RetroAgent carries both words, such as Rose (Success), so the meaning is on the board.

Does Rose, Thorn, Bud work outside software teams?

Yes. The questions say nothing about code, so it works for any group looking back on a stretch of work together.

How long does a Rose, Thorn, Bud retro take?

About 30 to 45 minutes. With three columns and a card or two each from everyone, it fits a regular sprint.

Can we change the columns?

Yes. Rename a column or add one, up to five, in the launcher before you start or in the room's settings during the retro. A card stays with the column name it was written under, so rename a column before the team writes in it.

Do participants need an account?

No. Teammates open the room link and type their name. They can sign in with Google or GitHub at any time and keep everything they wrote.

Ready for a Rose, Thorn, Bud retro?

Your team joins with a link, and nobody needs to sign up.

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