Try This – Plus/Delta for Agile Team Debriefs

Ever wrapped up a project and thought, “We should talk about how that went,” but didn’t know how to start? You’re not alone. Post-project reviews can feel vague, tense, or unproductive. But they don’t have to.

Enter the Plus/Delta tool—a simple yet powerful framework from Lean and Total Quality Management. Vernon Smith has used it for years in academic leadership settings. The beauty is its simplicity: two columns. One for “Plus”—what went well—and one for “Delta”—what we might change next time.

The magic of Plus/Delta isn’t in the grid; it’s in the culture it creates. As Vernon reminded listeners, “It’s not about blame, it’s about building.” Used consistently, Plus/Delta opens space for candid, constructive conversation. It signals to your team that their observations matter, and that every meeting or process is an opportunity to learn.

In the episode, Vernon shared how teams often name things like, “We liked the small agenda,” or “The food was great,” in the Plus column. On the Delta side? “The room was too hot” or “We needed clearer agenda items.” Trivial? Not at all. These notes help leaders improve experiences, which builds trust—and when trust grows, deeper insights follow.

Next time you wrap a meeting or complete a project, ask: What worked? What would we change? You might be surprised by the honesty—and the ideas—you uncover.

🧰 Download: Plus/Delta Reflection Template