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Organizational Excellence

Plus/Delta

Plus/Delta is a simple yet powerful tool for gathering feedback on what went well and what could be improved. It encourages constructive reflection and promotes continuous improvement.


Step by step:

1. Set the context: Explain to the group that “Plus” represents things that went well and should continue, while “Delta” represents areas for improvement or change.

(The word "Delta" is used here to signify change. In math and science, the Greek letter Δ for delta is commonly used to represent the difference or change between two values. Essentially, "Delta" represents the idea of transitioning from the current state to a better or improved state.)

2. Create the plus/delta chart: On a whiteboard or large sheet of paper, draw a vertical line down the center. Label one side “Plus” and the other side “Delta" or "Δ ".

3. Collect feedback: Ask participants to contribute their thoughts. Under the “Plus” column, they share successes or positive elements. Under “Delta,” they share suggestions for improvement or things they would change.

4. Encourage participation: Make sure everyone has the chance to contribute. You can do this by going around the room, inviting people to write directly on the chart, or using sticky notes for anonymous feedback.

5. Group and discuss: Once feedback is collected, group similar comments together and discuss as a team. Celebrate the positives and brainstorm ideas for addressing the “Deltas.”

6. Make sure action is taken: Agree on specific actions to address the areas of improvement, and assign responsibilities.


Caution: Avoid letting the session become overly negative by balancing the “Deltas” with plenty of time for “Pluses.” Ensure that feedback remains constructive and focused on improvement rather than personal critique.

For virtual meetings  Here are tips for using this tool in an online meeting:

• Keep it simple. 
• Use a shared doc on screen to capture input.

Organizational Excellence


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