WWW & WNB Retrospective Template
A focused two-column retro format — What Went Well and Needs Better — that balances celebration with honest improvement in the shortest possible time.
See it in action
Drag cards between columns to try the format. Vote on items to see what surfaces.
Wins, achievements, and positive surprises from the sprint. Celebrate what worked.
Zero production incidents this sprint
Shipped the onboarding redesign on schedule
Deployments are now fully automated
New team member is ramping up fast
Processes, communication, or outcomes that could improve. Frame as opportunities.
Code review turnaround — PRs sitting for 2+ days
Requirements handoff from product needs better documentation
Test coverage on the new payment flow
How to run it
WWW & WNB takes about 10–15 min. Here's the flow.
Set context
Remind the team to focus on WWW first. WNB is about processes, not people.
Add cards
Team adds cards to both columns. Aim for 3 WWW and 2 WNB minimum.
Vote
Vote on the most important items in each column. Focus on what the team can control.
Discuss and action
Discuss top items and assign 1-2 action items. Keep it tight.
Close
Summarize actions and thank the team. This format is about momentum, not depth.
- ✓Always start with What Went Well — never skip it or rush through it.
- ✓Keep it fast — 10 minutes is genuinely enough for this format.
- ✓Track the WWW/WNB ratio over time — it's a leading indicator of team health.
- ✓Use WWW & WNB for weekly check-ins and a deeper format for monthly retros.
- ✓Celebrate WWW items publicly — share wins with the wider organization.
- ✓Convert WNB items into process changes, not personal improvement plans.
- ✗Spending too long on WWW and rushing WNB — both columns matter equally.
- ✗Using WNB as a disguised complaint session — keep it constructive.
- ✗Running this format every sprint without a deeper monthly retro — it lacks depth for complex issues.
- ✗Not tracking the ratio over time — it's one of your best health metrics.
- ✗Letting WNB items repeat sprint after sprint without escalating them.
- ✗Skipping action items — WNB without action is just venting.
What is a WWW & WNB retrospective?
The What Went Well / Needs Better retrospective (abbreviated as WWW & WNB) is the most efficient Agile retrospective format in common use. Two columns. Two questions. Maximum signal in minimum time.
This format originated from the Lean management tradition of "start with what works." Instead of asking a team to list problems (which can feel demoralizing), WWW & WNB frames improvement as a balanced conversation. The What Went Well column creates genuine space for celebration and positive reinforcement. The Needs Better column frames problems as opportunities — a subtle but important reframing that keeps the retro constructive.
The psychological advantage of WWW & WNB is its asymmetry. Starting with "What Went Well" primes the team for a positive, appreciative mindset before they're asked to identify areas for improvement. This sequencing has been shown in organizational psychology research to improve both the quality and honesty of constructive feedback — teams who feel appreciated are more willing to surface real problems.
Similar templates
If you like WWW & WNB, you might also enjoy these formats.
Start/Stop/Continue
A classic three-column retro format that helps teams identify new practices to adopt, unhelpful habits to drop, and winning behaviors to reinforce.
Stoplight
An intuitive traffic-light retro format — Red for blockers, Yellow for caution, Green for smooth sailing — that makes team health instantly visible at a glance.
DAKI
A four-column continuous improvement format — Drop, Add, Keep, Improve — that combines Start/Stop/Continue simplicity with actionable improvement granularity.
Mountain Climb
A forward-looking retrospective format that helps goal-oriented teams reflect on progress, identify blockers, and plan the next sprint like climbing a mountain.
Frequently asked questions
What is a WWW & WNB retrospective?
WWW & WNB stands for What Went Well / Needs Better. It's a simple two-column retrospective format that balances positive reinforcement with constructive improvement.
How long should a WWW & WNB retro take?
10-15 minutes is ideal — it's designed to be the fastest meaningful retro format available.
Can I run WWW & WNB weekly?
Yes — it's perfect for weekly check-ins. Reserve deeper formats like 4Ls or Sailboat for monthly or quarterly sessions.
What if Needs Better dominates?
That's a signal. If WNB cards consistently outnumber WWW cards across sprints, the team may be heading for burnout. Consider switching to a more supportive format.
Is WWW & WNB good for remote teams?
Yes — its simplicity makes it perfect for async and remote formats. Team members in different time zones can contribute in minutes.
Does LetRetro support WWW & WNB?
Yes — LetRetro includes a dedicated WWW & WNB template with anonymous voting, AI summaries, and automatic action item tracking.
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