Is it hard to get the collaboration going in your Scrum Team or getting your Scrum Team to move beyond individual here and now thinking and doing?
Consider using this retrospective pattern inspired by the theory of Bento-ism (BEyond Near Term Orientation) by Yancey Strickler. A philosophy for decision making that encourages people to think beyond immediate desires and consider a broader perspective including future selves, others, and the collective good.
Moving From Now Me to Future Us
I have found it very useful for sparking a conversation about moving from Now Me thinking into Future Us thinking, taking Now Us and Future Me perspectives into consideration.
A retrospective around the concept of Bentoism can lead to profound insights and actionable steps for a Scrum Team.
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Set the Stage
Introduction to Bentoism: Briefly explain the concept of Bentoism, focusing on its four dimensions: Now Me, Future Me, Now Us, Future Us.
Objective: Clarify that the goal is to reflect on recent sprint(s) through the Bentoism lens, aiming to identify actions that balance personal, team, and broader objectives.
2. Gather Data
Individual Reflection: Ask each team member to reflect on the recent sprint(s) considering each of the Bentoism dimensions. Provide sticky notes or a digital equivalent for them to jot down thoughts.
Now Me
- What accomplishments am I proud of from the latest sprint(s)?
- What obstacles did I encounter, and how did I address them?
Future Me
- In what ways have my recent actions paved the way for my future aspirations?
- How does what I’ve done align with where I want to be?
Now Us
- How has our collective effort influenced our current achievements?
- Can we identify specific instances where teamwork dramatically impacted our outcomes?
Future Us
- What foundations have we laid for the team’s long-term vision?
- What steps have we taken that will shape our future trajectory?
3. Generate Insights
Group Discussion: Have team members share their reflections, grouping them under the four dimensions on a board (physical or digital).
Identify Patterns: Discuss any patterns or themes that emerge. Are there areas of conflict between the dimensions? How do individual goals align with team and broader objectives?
4. Decide What to Do
Actionable Steps: Based on the insights, brainstorm actionable steps the team can take to improve balance across the Bentoism dimensions in future work.
Commitment: Have team members commit to specific actions or changes they will undertake before the next retrospective.
5. Close the Retrospective
Reflect on the Process: Ask the team for feedback on the Bentoism-based retrospective approach. Did it help them see their work differently? How can the process be improved?
Appreciation: End with a round of appreciations, encouraging team members to acknowledge each other’s contributions.
Tips for Success
- Facilitator Preparation: Familiarize yourself deeply with Bentoism to guide discussions and provide examples.
- Create a Safe Space: Ensure the retrospective environment feels safe for honest reflection and discussion. Emphasize confidentiality and respect for diverse perspectives.
- Follow-Up: Document the actions decided upon and follow up on them in subsequent retrospectives or meetings. This reinforces accountability and shows progress over time.
By incorporating Bentoism into your retrospective, you encourage a holistic view of work and its impact, fostering a more thoughtful and balanced approach to team and individual development.
I have only used it a few times, so reach out to me and share your experiences or if you have any questions!
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Lad os tale om hvordan I kan skabe mere meningsfulde retrospektiver der faktisk skaber forandring.
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