ROI [🔏Classified Case File] No. X001 | What is KPT

Detective's Note: "KPT" - a term that Gemini, our "Compass of Reason," mentions at every opportunity. This method appears alongside his signature phrase: "Let's break that down using KPT, shall we?" From project retrospectives to personal behavior improvement, it reportedly demonstrates power across all scenarios. Determine the true identity of these three letters and why Gemini places such unwavering trust in this approach.

What is KPT - Case Overview

KPT (Keep/Problem/Try), also known as "Continue/Problem/Challenge" in some contexts, is a retrospective method used by teams and individuals to organize learnings for the next steps after completing projects or tasks. Among our clients, it has become so established that "retrospective equals KPT" is a common saying.

Investigation Memo: A method that organizes situations through three simple perspectives. It possesses the power to structure complex situations and clarify next actions. This likely explains Gemini's fondness for it.

Basic Structure of KPT - Evidence Analysis

Primary Evidence: The Three Elements of KPT

Keep (Continue) - What Went Well

"Things we want to continue doing"
"What worked well"
"Success factors"

Problem (Problem) - What Went Wrong

"Things that need improvement"
"What didn't work well"
"Issues and obstacles"

Try (Try) - What to Try Next

"New things we want to tackle"
"Actions for improvement"
"Experimental measures"

Evidence Analysis: The brilliance of this structure lies in its ability to simultaneously handle past reflection (Keep/Problem) and future action (Try). It's designed not to end as mere post-mortem discussion but to always connect to next actions.

KPT Implementation Procedure - Investigation Methods

Investigation Finding 1: Preparation Phase - Clarify the period and scope for reflection - Confirm participants' roles and areas of responsibility - Collect fact-based information (data, records, testimonies, etc.)

Investigation Finding 2: Keep (Continue) Identification

Case Evidence:
・Weekly meeting minute sharing was effective
・Numerous positive feedback from customers
・Active communication within the team

Investigation Finding 3: Problem (Problem) Identification

Case Evidence:
・Poor schedule management led to deadline delays
・Recognition gaps occurred during Requirements Definition
・Resource allocation estimates were inaccurate

Investigation Finding 4: Try (Try) Setting

Case Evidence:
・Consider implementing project management tools
・Strengthen stakeholder confirmation process during Requirements Definition
・Utilize past data to improve estimation accuracy

The Power of KPT - Hidden Truths

Critical File 1: Structured Thinking Organizes emotional retrospectives within a logical framework. It has the power to move beyond "somehow good/bad" feelings and connect to specific improvement actions.

Critical File 2: Balanced Perspective Treats positive success factors equally alongside negative problems. This clarifies not only "what went wrong" but also "what went right," enabling the reproduction of successful patterns.

Critical File 3: Action-Oriented By always including Try (Challenge) items, retrospectives connect to concrete behavioral changes. A mechanism is built in to prevent "analyze and finish" scenarios.

KPT Limitations and Precautions - Potential Dangers

Warning File 1: Risk of Superficial Analysis Due to its simplicity, deep root cause analysis may become insufficient. Complex problems require combination with other methods like 5 Whys.

Warning File 2: Breeding Ground for Personal Attacks Problem discussions risk evolving into personal criticism. Facilitator skills and maintaining fact-based discussions are crucial.

Warning File 3: Try Execution Assurance Cases where listed Tries are not actually executed occur frequently. Follow-up mechanisms and clear assignment of responsibility are essential.

KPT Variants and Related Methods - Related Case Files

Related Evidence 1: YWT (What We Did/What We Learned/What We'll Do Next)

Y (What We Did) = Fact organization
W (What We Learned) = Learning extraction
T (What We'll Do Next) = Action plan

Related Evidence 2: 4-Quadrant KPT

Keep × Continue/Stop
Problem × Continue/Stop
Classification into four quadrants through combination

Related Evidence 3: PDCA-Linked KPT

Plan → Do → Check (KPT Implementation) → Action (Try Execution)
Positioned as this cycle

Conclusion - Investigation Summary

Detective's Final Report:

KPT is "a masterpiece of retrospective methodology that combines simplicity with practicality." The organization through three perspectives appears simple at first glance, but deep insights are hidden behind it.

The most impressive finding in this investigation was clarifying why Gemini says "Let's break that down using KPT, shall we?" The power to organize complex and emotionally charged situations structurally and constructively - this is likely what makes him the "Compass of Reason."

However, KPT's true value lies not in "implementing it" but in "continuously utilizing it and connecting to actual behavioral change." When the actions set in Try become Keep items in the next session, creating this cycle, the method demonstrates its true power.

Additionally, KPT increases its effectiveness when combined with other analytical methods. Not remaining at superficial organization but incorporating deep-dive analytical methods as needed becomes the path to truly valuable retrospectives.

Gemini's Maxim: "A good retrospective is not about organizing the past, but about designing the future."

Case Closed