Rose, Thorn, Bud: A Simple Agile Retrospective Template for Teams to Use at the End of a Sprint or Year

At the end of the year - or at the end of any sprint - it's natural for an agile team to pause, look back at what’s been accomplished, evaluate challenges, and plan for what’s next.

A Versatile Retrospective Framework for Agile Teams, Growth Planning, and Continuous Improvement

A simple retrospective framework gaining traction for its versatility and effectiveness is Rose, Thorn, Bud.

Recently featured in unDUBBED, a podcast by the co-founders of Dub Dub Data, this reflective retrospective idea is more than just a feel-good activity. It’s a powerful retrospective technique that supports continuous improvement, team development, and forward momentum - whether you're running a sprint retrospective or an annual retrospective meeting.

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We’ve dedicated an entire episode of our unDUBBED podcast to Rose, Thorn, Bud. Skip the scroll and view here.

What Is Rose, Thorn, Bud? A Retrospective Template That Works Across Teams

This retrospective format encourages team members to reflect on three areas:

• Roses: Successes or positive outcomes that went well and are worth celebrating.
• Thorns: Challenges or issues faced during the sprint, project, or year that offer valuable lessons.
• Buds: Untapped potential, opportunities, or ideas that excite the team and inspire the next sprint or year.

It’s a simple retrospective exercise used by agile teams, schools, and even families to reflect on growth, challenges, and what's next. Unlike more structured templates like the 4Ls retrospective, DAKI retrospective, or starfish retrospective, this one keeps your team focused on clarity, connection, and conversation

Sprint or Yearly Retrospective in Practice: Reflecting on Dub Dub Data’s 2024

During the episode, Sarah and Fi demonstrated the retrospective meeting live, using their own agile team retrospective to reflect on a whirlwind year. Here’s how their team retrospective unfolded:

Roses: Celebrating Wins as a Team

The team highlighted several wins from the last sprint - and the year overall. One major rose was launching Dub Dub Data, a professional marketplace and learning hub for data professionals. In just six months, the agile team grew a vibrant community of over 70 members.

Their focus on team dynamics, collaboration, and peer support helped the whole team work toward a common goal. The platform attracted not only users but early clients, proving this wasn’t just a project - it was a business with traction. Community support, including shoutouts from industry leaders like Chris McClellan, became a rose the team won't forget.

Thorns: Challenges That Help Teams Grow

Every sprint retrospective needs thorns. Leaving the comfort of corporate work and transitioning to startup life meant financial instability, longer hours, and lots of trial-and-error development. These challenges tested their agile mindset.

Navigating tricky conversations within a small, lean team also surfaced as a recurring thorn. Without big structures or management layers, communication needed to be honest, open, and frequent. These thorns became action items for the next sprint.

Buds: Planning for the Next Sprint - and 2025

Looking ahead to 2025, the team sees growth opportunities. Their platform is set to scale, helping data professionals create passive income, build global networks, and access high-quality training. This is a retrospective idea that shows how a bud can turn into the next rose.

There’s also buzz about featuring more team members and dubbers on the podcast, sharing retrospective examples and insights. As the team works toward its next sprint planning session, they’re building a template that’s repeatable and scalable for the future.

Why Use the Sprint Retrospective: Rose, Thorn, Bud?

The goal of a retrospective isn’t just to look back - it’s to help your team understand what went well, what didn’t, and what needs to happen next. This simple retrospective tool encourages your team to share insights, surface ideas and issues, and keep your team aligned on the next sprint’s priorities.

It’s a retrospective technique that improves team culture, boosts team engagement, and helps the team members feel heard.

Whether you’re doing a sprint retrospective at the end of every sprint, holding a retrospective at the end of the year, or reviewing the previous sprint or project, Rose, Thorn, Bud gives your team a reliable and meaningful format.

Try the Rose, Thorn, Bud Retrospective With Your Agile Team

Want to hold a retrospective with your scrum team or project team? Here’s a quick retrospective template to try:

1. Ask team members:
• What are your roses? What went well during this sprint or project?
• What are your thorns? What blocked progress or needs attention?
• What are your buds? What are we excited about for the next sprint?
2. Write responses on sticky notes, whiteboards, or digital boards for remote retrospectives.
3. Group common themes, turn them into action items, and set clear goals for the next sprint.

Use this template at the end of each sprint, at the end of the year, or during any retrospective meeting where you want to encourage team reflection and continuous improvement.

Final Thoughts: Reflection That Helps Teams Work Better

Dub Dub Data’s journey in 2024 is a perfect example of how retrospectives help teams grow. This isn’t just an end-of-year practice - it’s a mindset. By reflecting often, your agile team stays aligned, proactive, and ready for what’s next.

Looking to improve your team retrospectives in 2025? Want a simple, high-impact retrospective format that encourages team members to speak up and move forward? Give Rose, Thorn, Bud a try. It’s one of the most flexible retrospective ideas out there - and it just might be the missing link in your team’s development.

 Watch the Rose, Thorn, Bud Podcast 

In this episode, Sarah and Fiona reflect on the year 2024, discussing the challenges and successes they faced while navigating the busy end-of-year period. They explore the importance of team culture, the complexities of performance reviews, and the significance of vulnerability in business. The conversation transitions into a structured reflection using the Rose-Thorn-Bud method, allowing them to identify positives, challenges, and potential for growth. As they look ahead to 2025, they emphasize the need to improve their sales strategies and set ambitious goals for their community and business.

Links

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Takeaways

• Reflecting on the past year is essential for growth.
• December is a busy time filled with expectations.
• Team culture plays a crucial role in navigating challenges.
• Performance reviews can be both beneficial and frustrating.
• Vulnerability can lead to unexpected support from others.
• Sales strategies need to be refined for success.
• Setting clear goals for the upcoming year is vital.
• Community engagement is key to business growth.
• Embracing change can open new opportunities.
• Open communication strengthens partnerships.

Chapters

00:00 Reflecting on 2024: A Year in Review
08:27 The Rose-Thorn-Bud Reflection Method
25:49 Launching into 2025