Rose, Thorn, Bud

Rose, Thorn, Bud

What is a Rose, Thorn, Bud workshop?

This tactic allows you to thoroughly evaluate an idea, project or process, identifying positives, negatives and opportunities.

Evaluate something as a group in order to find out what you really love about it, what might not be working and how to improve it.

You’ll need to Theme Sort to help you with this tactic. Afterwards, consider using Impact Effort Map to prioritise the potential opportunities.


Rose, Thorn, Bud Miro Template


How to run a Rose, Thorn, Bud workshop

1. Select and agree on the thing you want to evaluate. For example: a design, a project, an idea, a service, your life choices, the movie you just saw.

2. Write a short description or find a suitable image of the thing.

3. Put it on the wall so everyone can see it clearly.

4. Explain the sticky note colour system:

Rose: red sticky notes (positive aspects of the thing)

Thorn: yellow sticky notes (negative aspects, or things to watch out for)

Bud: green sticky notes (potential opportunities to grow the idea)

5. Using this system, ask your group to write as many points as they can within a time limit.

6. Theme Sort the sticky notes and take it in turns to discuss each person’s point.

Origin: Boy Scouts of America

Not sure if this is the right approach for your team at the moment? Try a different evaluation tactic. Then, prioritise ideas or problems using a decision-making tactic.

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Rose, Thorn, Bud is one of 54 workshop recipe cards inside the Workshop Tactics card deck.

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