Project Wrap-up

Step 1

Start with a check-in to let the team members settle into the session. Stress the importance of being present and focused for reflective sessions like this. Explain that the focus of the session will be creating closure on the project and harvesting as much learning as possible. Consider using the IDOART method to structure and introduce the session.

Step 2

Put a large paper on the wall with a timeline representing the period of the project. Label the top half with a smiley face, and the bottom with a frowny face. This is going to be the “emotional graph” for the project. Invite all team members to draw a curve across the page, representing their experience of the project.

Step 3

Next, ask members to write words or draw images that represent the highs of the project. They should think about why these were peaks, what happened, what lead up to them, what were the success factors, and what did they learn from that? Give them around 10 minutes.

Step 4

Next, do the same with the lows, writing words or drawing images that represent those points in the project. Ask them to think about what happened, what lead to the low point, what did they learn about themselves, their own reactions, and how they acted. Give them around 10 minutes.

Step 5

Next, on post-its or the same piece of paper, ask them to identify their three biggest areas of development during the project. How have they grown as a person? Give them around 10 minutes.

Invite each member to spend 3-5 minutes speaking about his/her experience, touching on main highs, lows and areas of development. During these presentations, other members might ask coaching-style questions, but they should not turn into discussions.

Step 6

Finally, invite members to reflect on expectations and actions for the next project they are part of. What do they want to achieve? What do they want to learn? How do they need to act to ensure success? Give them around 10 minutes.

Step 7

As a final shared experience, members should give each other feedback. Explain and discuss why working with effective feedback is important.

Everyone should give and receive feedback from all team members. Choose any of the methods in the toolbox that are appropriate for this group. Some useful feedback prompts at this stage could be:

- One thing I appreciate is.....
- One thing I would like to see more of is...

If you want to go deeper, your team could try a process such as:

-Related to the project overall

1) (Delivered by asker)
- WHAT I COULD IMPROVE/DO DIFFERENTLY...
- WHAT I DID WELL…

2) (Team gives you feedback on the same prompts)
- WHAT I NOTICED YOU COULD IMPROVE/DO DIFFERENTLY...
- WHAT I NOTICED YOU DID WELL.

3) Thank your team.

Feedback can trigger a need to explain or defend because your own perception of a situation often differs from that of the person giving the feedback.

For the communication to remain open and encourage continuing feedback, it is important to make the effort to listen to the feedback given. In this way, we show that feedback is welcome, even if it may feel unpleasant. In this instance, stay connected with the person and try to understand what they say to us.

Once we have received the feedback, and have had time to reflect on it, if there are any disagreements we can use dialogue to clear it up.


Here are a couple more feedback processes to check out:

- Start, Stop, Continue
- Feedback: Appreciation Mingle

Step 8

After everyone has given feedback you can close the session with a check-out. Ask the team members to state again what they might take with them into a new team, based on what they have said and heard in this session.

Step 9

Celebrate!

Think of an energizing way to celebrate your journey together and your learnings - here and now, in the moment.

It can be as simple as high-fives, or an impromptu dance - even in the virtual environment.

When we take time to celebrate a project completion it helps close that project mentally and physically, and helps provide motivation for the next project.