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Sprint Retrospective Games: 10 Formats That Work
Changing the retrospective format keeps the conversation fresh and surfaces different insights. Here are ten formats teams use, with what each is best for.
Key takeaways
- Varying formats keeps retrospectives productive.
- Pick a format that matches the team's mood and problems.
- Every format should end with concrete actions.
Ten formats
| Format | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Start, Stop, Continue | List what to start doing, stop doing and keep doing | Quick, action-focused retros |
| Mad, Sad, Glad | Sort notes by emotion | Surfacing feelings and morale |
| 4Ls | Liked, Learned, Lacked, Longed for | Balanced reflection |
| Sailboat (Speedboat) | Wind pushes us, anchors slow us, rocks are risks, the island is our goal | Visual teams; risks and goals |
| Starfish | Keep doing, less of, more of, stop, start | Fine-tuning practices |
| Timeline | Plot events across the Sprint and mark highs and lows | Long or eventful Sprints |
| Lean Coffee | Participants propose topics, vote, and discuss in time-boxed rounds | Open, democratic discussion |
| Five Whys | Ask "why?" repeatedly about one problem | Finding root causes |
| Hot air balloon | What lifts us up, what weighs us down | Simple visual alternative |
| Appreciation round | Each person thanks someone specifically | Ending on a positive note |
Check-in ideas
- One word: describe the Sprint in one word.
- Weather report: sunny, cloudy or stormy?
- ESVP: are you here as an Explorer, Shopper, Vacationer or Prisoner? Useful for gauging engagement.
Choosing a format
- After a difficult Sprint: Timeline or Mad, Sad, Glad.
- When actions keep repeating: Five Whys.
- When energy is low: Sailboat or an appreciation round.
- When short on time: Start, Stop, Continue.
Remote retrospectives
Use a shared digital whiteboard, timed silent brainstorming and dot voting. Keep cameras on where possible and split large groups into breakout rooms for discussion.
Free templates for this topic
Frequently asked questions
How often should we change the retrospective format?
Every few Sprints, or whenever discussions feel stale.
Do retrospective games make the Sprint Retrospective less serious?
No. Good formats structure the conversation; the outcome should still be concrete improvement actions.
How does the Start, Stop, Continue retrospective game work?
The team lists practices to start, stop and continue, then picks one or two actions. It is quick and works well when time is short.
What is the Sailboat retrospective game?
The team draws a boat heading for an island (the goal), with wind (what helps), anchors (what slows it) and rocks (risks). It is visual and good for discussing goals and risks.
What is the 4Ls retrospective format?
Team members write what they Liked, Learned, Lacked and Longed for during the Sprint, then group and discuss the notes.
What is the Mad, Sad, Glad retrospective game?
Participants sort their observations by emotion. It helps surface feelings and morale, especially after a difficult Sprint.
What is the Starfish retrospective format?
A five-part format: keep doing, more of, less of, stop doing and start doing. It allows finer adjustments than Start, Stop, Continue.
Can Lean Coffee be used as a retrospective format?
Yes. Lean Coffee is a structured but agenda-free meeting format: participants propose topics, vote, and discuss them in short time-boxed rounds, deciding together whether to continue each topic.
What are good retrospective games for remote teams?
Any format works with a shared digital whiteboard. Use silent writing, dot voting, breakout rooms and timers to keep everyone involved.
Which retrospective games make good icebreakers?
Simple check-ins such as one word for the Sprint, a weather report, or ESVP (Explorer, Shopper, Vacationer, Prisoner) get everyone speaking early.
Where do retrospective games come from?
Many come from the Agile community and books such as Agile Retrospectives by Esther Derby and Diana Larsen. See Sprint Retrospective for the five-step structure they fit into.