Atomic Habits Retrospective

Welcome to the Atomic Habits Retrospective board, designed specifically for product managers, engineers, and project managers. This board can be used to facilitate retrospectives and improve team performance by focusing on small, incremental changes that lead to significant improvements over time.

How to Use This Template

Follow the steps below to get the most of this retro for you and your team.

1. Icebreaker activity

Start your retrospective session with the "Good/Bad Habits Icebreaker" activity. Each team member adds their best or worst habit to the designated section. The team then collaboratively traces these habits back to their owners, fostering engagement and understanding within the group.

2. Core retrospective discussion

Move to the main board to begin the core retrospective discussion. Use the "ATOMIC HABITS RETROSPECTIVE" section as a central point for capturing insights and ideas.

Here are some suggested questions to guide your discussion:

How can we get 1% better over time?

Explore ways to continuously improve by identifying small, actionable steps that can be taken to achieve gradual progress.

How can we shift focus from results to values we want to embody?

Encourage the team to reflect on the values they want to embody and align their actions and habits accordingly rather than solely focusing on outcomes.

What new habits can we bolt onto existing ones?

Identify habits that can be built upon existing routines or processes to create a more efficient and effective workflow.

How do we make our cues, cravings, rewards, and responses more easily accessible?

Discuss strategies to make the triggers and rewards associated with desired habits more visible and readily available, increasing the likelihood of consistent behavior.

What are the most effective ways to track our progress?

Explore different methods for tracking and measuring progress towards habit formation, ensuring accountability and providing visibility into individual and team achievements.

Step 3: Dot Voting

Use the "ATOMIC DOT VOTE" section to prioritize the most important ideas generated during the retrospective discussion. Each team member can place an atomic token on the items they believe should receive the highest priority.

Step 4: Retro Rating

In the final step, rate the overall retrospective experience using the "ATOMIC RATE THE RETRO" section. Place a book cover icon on your rating, ranging from terrible to excellent habit. This allows for a quick and easy assessment of the retro's effectiveness.