PlusDelta

Plusdelta, or plus-delta, is a simple feedback framework used to reflect on a task, event, or period by listing positives and opportunities for change. It is commonly employed in education, team retrospectives, and organizational development as a tool to promote continuous improvement. In practice, participants identify Plus items that describe what went well and should be kept or repeated, and Delta items that indicate problems, gaps, or changes that could improve future efforts. A facilitator may organize items, clarify them, and convert them into concrete action items with assigned owners and deadlines.

Origins and usage of plusdelta are informal and varied, with the method widely adopted in classrooms and workplaces for decades. It is often used after meetings, projects, sprints, or evaluations to surface lessons learned in a constructive manner. Variants exist, including Plus/Minus/Delta or Start/Stop/Continue, which add nuance or different framing for feedback.

Benefits of plusdelta include its simplicity, accessibility, and emphasis on actionable outcomes. It encourages balanced feedback by recognizing strengths while identifying improvements, and it can foster psychological safety when conducted respectfully. Limitations include the potential for vague or repetitive items and the need for proper facilitation to avoid flippant conclusions. Effective use typically pairs plusdelta with follow-up actions and regular review to close the feedback loop.

See also: retrospective, feedback, continuous improvement, Start/Stop/Continue.