Setting the Stage for Agile Retrospective with the ESVP Method is an effective yet fun-filled way to start your retrospective meeting. Agile retrospectives are essential for fostering continuous improvement, but their effectiveness often depends on the energy and engagement of participants.
The first phase, Set the Stage, is particularly critical as it sets the tone for the entire session. However, this phase can be challenging due to varying levels of enthusiasm, motivation, and willingness to engage among team members.
The ESVP Method (Explorer, Shopper, Vacationer, Prisoner) offers a structured and insightful way to uncover the mood of participants and tailor the retrospective accordingly. By categorizing participants’ perspectives into four archetypes, the ESVP Method creates a foundation for understanding team dynamics, addressing disengagement, and aligning everyone toward productive discussions.

Challenges in the “Set the Stage” Phase
Before diving into the ESVP Method, it’s important to recognize the common challenges facilitators face in the initial phase of a retrospective:
1. Uneven Participation
Some participants are eager to dive into the discussion, while others may be disengaged, passive, or resistant. This imbalance can lead to partial or incomplete reflections.
2. Lack of Trust or Openness
Team members may hesitate to share their true feelings about the sprint, either out of fear of judgment or a lack of psychological safety within the group.
3. Hidden Tensions
Underlying frustrations or disinterest can remain unspoken, creating an invisible barrier to productive discussions. Without surfacing these emotions, the team may struggle to address root causes.
4. Ambiguity in Engagement Levels
It’s often unclear how invested participants are in the retrospective. Some may be fully present, while others are distracted or attending reluctantly.
5. Passive Resistance
Team members who don’t see the value of retrospectives may engage minimally or even subtly derail the discussion, making it difficult to foster collaboration.

The ESVP Method: A Solution to Gauge and Align Team Moods
The ESVP Method is a quick and effective activity that helps facilitators understand how participants feel about the retrospective and the sprint. By asking team members to self-identify as one of four archetypes—Explorer, Shopper, Vacationer, or Prisoner—the method brings hidden sentiments to light in a non-threatening way.
Here’s what each archetype represents:
Explorer: Eager to dive in, uncover insights, and improve the team’s performance. Explorers see value in the retrospective and are enthusiastic about finding solutions.
Shopper: Selectively engaged, looking for useful ideas or topics but avoiding unproductive discussions. Shoppers want to extract value while minimizing effort.
Vacationer: Reluctant to actively participate, they’re here to “enjoy the show” without fully committing to the process. Vacationers may need encouragement to engage meaningfully.
Prisoner: Resentful of being in the retrospective, feeling they have better things to do. Prisoners may see retrospectives as a waste of time and require special attention to reframe their perspective.
How to Implement the ESVP Method
1. Introduce the Activity
At the start of the retrospective, explain the ESVP archetypes. Encourage participants to reflect on their current feelings and select the category that best describes their mood.
Use descriptions like:
- “Are you an Explorer, eager to dig deeper and find ways to improve?”
- “Are you a Shopper, looking to gather ideas selectively?”
- “Are you a Vacationer, happy to be here but not fully invested in the discussion?”
- “Or are you a Prisoner, feeling like you’re here against your will?”
2. Collect Responses
Ask participants to share their archetype anonymously (using sticky notes, a virtual poll, or private chat). Emphasize that there’s no judgment; the goal is to understand the team’s current mindset.
3. Summarize the Results
Share the aggregated results with the team. For example:
- “We have 3 Explorers, 2 Shoppers, 1 Vacationer, and no Prisoners today. That’s a great mix to dive into our discussion.”
- If there are Prisoners, address it tactfully: “It’s helpful to know some team members may feel disengaged. Let’s work together to make this session as valuable as possible.”
4. Discuss Implications
Facilitate a brief discussion about the results:
- For Explorers: Celebrate their enthusiasm and invite them to take a leading role in the discussion.
- For Shoppers: Identify areas they find most valuable to focus on.
- For Vacationers: Ask what would make the session more engaging for them.
- For Prisoners: Privately follow up to understand their concerns and find ways to address them.

How AI Tools Like ChatGPT and Copilot Can Enhance the ESVP Method
AI tools, such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, can significantly enhance the implementation of the ESVP Method in retrospectives. From interpreting participant responses to guiding follow-up actions and influencing the next phases, these tools help facilitators navigate complexities and ensure the retrospective is both inclusive and productive.
Here’s how AI can assist at various stages of the ESVP process, with a particular focus on interpreting participant choices—especially those identifying as Prisoners—and guiding actions in subsequent phases.
1. Helping with Participant Selection and Understanding
Before diving into the retrospective, facilitators can use AI to better understand team dynamics and tailor the activity accordingly.
Analyzing Historical Context
- ChatGPT can analyze data from previous retrospectives or sprint reviews to identify patterns in team participation, engagement, and challenges. For instance:
- “In the last retrospective, only 30% of participants actively contributed. Let’s focus on strategies to engage the quieter team members.”
- “Recurring feedback indicates frustration with unclear goals. Use this to tailor the ESVP categories.”
Customizing Prompts for Better Self-Identification
- ChatGPT can generate prompts that encourage participants to reflect on their current mindset in a relatable way:
- “When you think about today’s retrospective, are you eager to explore improvements (Explorer), or are you browsing for useful ideas (Shopper)?”
- “If you feel like an observer (Vacationer) or uninterested in being here (Prisoner), don’t worry—this activity is about understanding how we can make these sessions more meaningful.”
Anonymous Participation Setup
AI-integrated tools like Copilot can help create anonymous polls in Microsoft Teams or other platforms, ensuring participants feel comfortable sharing their true archetype without fear of judgment.
2. Responding to Participants’ Choices
Understanding and addressing the implications of each archetype is essential for a productive retrospective. AI tools can assist in interpreting these choices and crafting appropriate responses.
Explorers
Explorers are eager to engage, making them natural contributors. AI can:
- Suggest ways to involve them further, like leading discussions or brainstorming sessions.
- Generate prompts to deepen their insights: “As an Explorer, what’s one area where you see the most potential for improvement?”
Shoppers
Shoppers are selective but interested in value. AI can:
- Propose topics or areas of focus that align with their priorities, based on past input or trends.
- Generate follow-up prompts to steer them toward actionable ideas: “What’s one key takeaway or solution you’d like to leave this retrospective with?”
Vacationers
Vacationers are present but disengaged. AI can:
- Suggest ways to encourage their participation, such as asking for their opinion on specific issues:
- “What’s one area you think we could improve, even if it’s outside your usual focus?”
- Provide insights on engagement techniques, like gamification or quick interactive activities.
Prisoners
Prisoners can be the most challenging group, as they feel resentful about being in the retrospective. AI tools can help facilitators address their concerns tactfully:
- Follow-Up Questions: ChatGPT can suggest private, non-confrontational follow-ups to understand their disengagement:
- “Is there a specific reason why you feel this session isn’t valuable?”
- “What would make this process more worthwhile for you?”
- Tailored Responses: Based on their feedback, AI can recommend strategies to reframe their perspective: “Consider positioning the retrospective as a chance to improve areas that directly impact you, like workload or project clarity.”
3. Understanding the Consequences of Participants’ Choices
The archetypes chosen by participants reveal important dynamics that shape the retrospective’s tone and focus.
Implications of Results
- Predominantly Explorers and Shoppers: This indicates high engagement and a proactive team. The retrospective can focus on generating actionable insights and celebrating successes.
- High Number of Vacationers: This suggests moderate disengagement. Facilitators might need to incorporate activities that increase interaction and buy-in.
- Presence of Prisoners: A significant number of Prisoners signals a deeper issue with team morale, workload, or the perceived value of retrospectives. This warrants careful exploration and potential process changes.
AI-Driven Insights
AI can analyze the distribution of archetypes and highlight key takeaways:
- “70% of participants identify as Shoppers, indicating they value retrospectives but are selective about their engagement. Let’s focus on identifying high-impact topics.”
- “20% of participants feel like Prisoners. It’s essential to understand why they feel disengaged and how we can address these concerns in future sessions.”
4. Guiding the Next Phases Based on ESVP Results
The insights gathered from the ESVP activity provide a roadmap for shaping the subsequent phases of the retrospective.
Transitioning to “Gather Data”
AI can help craft targeted questions or prompts to explore key themes:
For Explorers and Shoppers: “What areas do you feel are ripe for improvement or further exploration?”
For Vacationers and Prisoners: “Are there specific blockers or frustrations that are holding back the team?”
Generating Insights for “Generate Insights”
AI can assist in synthesizing participant input: “Based on today’s ESVP results, let’s focus on uncovering the root causes of disengagement for some team members while leveraging the enthusiasm of others to drive solutions.”
Action Items for “Decide What to Do”
AI tools can recommend actionable next steps based on archetype feedback:
For Vacationers and Prisoners: “Schedule a follow-up one-on-one with participants who identified as Prisoners to better understand their concerns.” or: “Incorporate more interactive activities in future retrospectives to engage Vacationers.”
For Explorers and Shoppers: “Empower Explorers to lead specific initiatives based on identified improvement areas.”
Conclusion
The ESVP Method, enhanced by AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot, transforms retrospectives from routine meetings into dynamic opportunities for growth. By understanding participants’ archetypes, facilitators can tailor discussions, address disengagement, and ensure the session’s outcomes are meaningful and actionable.
Streamline Your Retrospectives with Ready-to-Use Templates
Want to make your retrospectives even smoother? Download our editable ESVP slide deck, featuring professional visuals, guiding prompts, and actionable strategies to engage every archetype. Whether you’re working with Explorers, Shoppers, Vacationers, or Prisoners, this template will help you foster alignment and drive results.