Prime Directive – Norm Kerth

The 'Prime Directive' game by Norm Kerth is a powerful tool for establishing a climate of trust before starting an agile retrospective. By affirming that everyone has done their best, it creates a safe environment for sharing ideas and feelings. This game is essential to ensure that all participants feel respected and heard, thus fostering open and honest communication.

Walkthrough

1. 1

   Introduction

   5 min

   The facilitator begins by explaining the purpose of the Prime Directive: to create a trusting space for open sharing. They read the directive aloud: 'Regardless of what we discover, we understand and truly believe that everyone did their best given what they knew at the time, their skills and abilities, the resources available, and the situation.'

   Tip — Use a calm and kind tone to put participants at ease from the start.

2. 2

   Discussion on the Directive

   10 min

   Invite participants to individually reflect on what the Prime Directive means to them. Then, open the discussion for everyone to share their thoughts. Encourage participants to express concrete examples where they have seen this directive in action.

   Tip — Be attentive and encourage more reserved participants to share their thoughts.

3. 3

   Collective Commitment

   5 min

   Ask participants if they agree with the Prime Directive for this retrospective and if they commit to respecting this spirit. A collective agreement reinforces trust and everyone's commitment.

   Tip — Suggest a sign of approval, such as raising a hand, to make the commitment visible and tangible.

4. 4

   Practical Examples

   10 min

   Ask participants to share recent situations where they felt they were doing their best. This helps contextualise the directive and strengthens mutual understanding. Encourage varied examples to showcase the diversity of experiences.

   Tip — Be prepared to share a personal example to initiate sharing if necessary.

5. 5

   Personal Reflection

   5 min

   Give each participant a moment to individually reflect on how they can integrate the spirit of the Prime Directive into their daily work. This helps to anchor the directive in concrete actions.

   Tip — Distribute post-it notes for everyone to jot down their reflections and keep them as a reminder.

6. 6

   Closure

   5 min

   Conclude by thanking all participants for their openness and commitment. Remind them that the Prime Directive is a guide for all future interactions, not just for the current retrospective.

   Tip — End with an inspiring quote about trust and collaboration to leave a positive impression.

Variants

• Ask participants to formulate their own version of the Prime Directive.
• Use examples of the Prime Directive in other contexts to broaden the discussion.
• Propose a role-playing exercise where participants apply the Prime Directive to a difficult situation.