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Templates · Agile & Scrum

Free Sprint Retrospective Template (Google Sheets, Excel, PDF)

A sprint retrospective template gives your team a simple structure to reflect on the last Sprint: what went well, what didn't, what to try, and the improvement actions you will take next.

Written byProject management editorial team
  • Published
  • Google Sheets · Excel · PDF
sprint retrospective template

Free download · no sign-up

Get the sprint retrospective template

Pick your level and format: Google Sheets, Excel or a print-ready PDF. Spreadsheets include dropdowns, formulas and sample rows you can overwrite.

Beginner

Essential columns only, one tab. Quick to fill in.

1 tab · 4 columns

GSheetsXExcelPPDF
AdvancedMost popular

The full template with every tab, dropdowns and formulas.

2 tabs · 4 columns

GSheetsXExcelPPDF
Expert

Adds a live dashboard, instructions, revision history and status colours.

2 data tabs + instructions, dashboard and revision history

GSheetsXExcelPPDF

Sprint Retrospective Template preview

Retrospective
CategoryObservationVotesDiscussion notes
Went wellDaily Scrums finished on time3
Went wellPairing on the payments story4
To improveStories arrived in planning without acceptance criteria6Refine earlier
To improveBuild pipeline failed twice5
IdeasTry a mid-Sprint refinement session4
Shout-outsThanks to Chen for fixing the test data2

Sample rows are examples: replace them with your own.

What's included

  • Observation board with categories and votes
  • Action items with owners, dates, measures and status
  • Retrospective: Category, Observation, Votes, Discussion notes
  • Action items: Action, Owner, Due, Success measure, Status

How to use the sprint retrospective template

  1. Set the stage: remind everyone of the Sprint Goal and keep it blameless.
  2. Gather observations under Went well, To improve and Ideas.
  3. Vote on the most important items.
  4. Discuss root causes and agree one to three actions with owners on the Action items tab.
  5. Start the next retrospective by reviewing last Sprint's actions.

Tips for getting the most from it

  • Change the format occasionally; see retrospective games.
  • Limit actions so they actually happen.
  • Add improvement actions to the next Sprint Backlog.
  • Celebrate wins as well as fixing problems.

Learn more

Frequently asked questions

What is a sprint retrospective template?

A sprint retrospective template is a structured board for reflecting on a Sprint and agreeing improvement actions.

Is this sprint retrospective template free?

Yes. The sprint retrospective template is free in Google Sheets, Excel and PDF.

What are the sections of a sprint retrospective template?

Typically what went well, what to improve, ideas and action items with owners.

How long should a sprint retrospective using this sprint retrospective template take?

Up to three hours for a one-month Sprint, usually shorter for shorter Sprints.

Who attends the meeting that uses the sprint retrospective template?

The whole Scrum Team: Developers, Product Owner and Scrum Master.

How many action items should a sprint retrospective template have?

One to three focused improvements are usually enough.

Can I use the sprint retrospective template for remote teams?

Yes. Share the Google Sheets sprint retrospective template and let people add notes before voting.

What is the difference between a sprint retrospective template and a lessons learned template?

A sprint retrospective is per Sprint; a lessons learned template usually covers a phase or project.

What retrospective formats work with this sprint retrospective template?

Start-Stop-Continue, Mad-Sad-Glad and 4Ls all fit by renaming the categories.

Should the sprint retrospective template be shared outside the team?

Keep detailed notes within the team to keep it safe; share only the agreed actions if needed.

What is the difference between the beginner, advanced and expert sprint retrospective template?

The beginner sprint retrospective template keeps only the essential columns on one tab; the advanced version is the full template with every tab, dropdown and formula; the expert version adds a live dashboard, instructions, revision history and status colours.