The ROTI (Return on Time Invested) Feelings Check-Out exercise is an effective tool for capturing participants’ emotional feedback at the end of a meeting or workshop. This template helps facilitators gauge the team’s sentiment and gather valuable insights for future improvements.

Key Aspects of the ROTI: Feelings Check-Out Exercise

1. Visual Layout:
   • Clear Question Prompt: The template begins with a large, visually distinct question: “How do you feel at the end of the meeting?” This prompt encourages participants to reflect on their emotions.
   • Emotion Tokens: Participants can use use predefined tokens representing different feelings (e.g., happy, sad, neutral) to express their emotions, or write a sticky note.
2. Easy to Use and Edit:
   • Drag-and-Drop Interface: The template allows users to easily drag and drop tokens onto the board to represent their feelings, making the exercise quick and intuitive.
   • Customizable Elements: Facilitators can adjust the colors and labels of tokens and shapes to better match their team’s preferences and needs.
3. Enhanced Collaboration:
   • Real-Time Feedback: Participants can provide their feedback simultaneously, offering a real-time snapshot of the team’s emotional state.
   • Annotations and Comments: Facilitators can add notes or comments to capture additional context or insights.
   • Anonymity: The facilitator can choose to make the feedback anonymous the with “Hide Identities” mode.

How to Use the ROTI: Feelings Check-Out Template

1. Setup the Board:
   • The Prompt: The question “How do you feel at the end of the meeting?” is prominently displayed at the top of the board. It can be changed if desired.
2. Collect Feedback:
   • Participants’ Input: Ask participants to add a sticky to the zone that best represents their feelings at the end of the meeting.
   • Encourage Honesty: Emphasize the importance of honest feedback to ensure the team can make meaningful improvements.
3. Discuss Feedback: You may wish to facilitate a discussion about the collected feedback, focusing on understanding the reasons behind the emotions and identifying areas for improvement.

Benefits for Software Teams

• Immediate Emotional Insights: Quickly understand how team members feel about the meeting or workshop, providing a real-time gauge of team morale.
• Actionable Feedback: Gather actionable feedback that can be used to improve future meetings and address any issues that may have caused negative feelings.
• Enhanced Team Cohesion: Promotes transparency and openness within the team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and mutual support.