Debriefing Facilitation Guide

Effective debriefs are the missing link between a busy sprint and continuous improvement. The guide starts by explaining why a simple "what went well, what didn't" checklist is insufficient, and then introduces a three-stage framework: capture facts, surface assumptions, and define concrete next steps. It stresses the need for a neutral facilitator who keeps the conversation data-driven and prevents the session from devolving into blame.

The middle section provides ready-to-use templates for different contexts - post-mortems, sprint reviews, and ad-hoc incident debriefs. Each template includes prompts that surface hidden dependencies, clarify decision-making criteria, and surface technical debt that surfaced during the work. Real-world examples illustrate how a senior engineer can use the guide to turn a chaotic post-incident chat into a short, actionable plan that the whole team can own.

The final part gives practical tips for scaling the practice across multiple squads. It covers how to embed debriefs into existing cadences, how to track improvement metrics, and how to train new leads to become effective facilitators. By the end, a technical leader can run a debrief that surfaces the right insights, aligns the team on next steps, and builds a culture of continuous learning.