The Absurd Antics retrospective pushes teams out of their comfort zones by using playful absurdity to spark creative thinking and innovation. Embracing illogical and humorous perspectives helps teams challenge the status quo and discover fresh, unexpected improvements.

When to use this template

This format is ideal when your team feels stuck in routine, needs a creativity boost, or wants to break away from traditional retrospectives. Use it after repetitive sprints or during periods when engagement and energy are low.

How to facilitate

Kick off the session by explaining that absurdity is encouraged; the goal is to find inspiration and fresh perspectives through playful thinking.

Introduce each column: Start Silly Solutions (suggest wild new practices), Stop Strange Snafus (call out weird or useless habits), Continue Nonsense Nuggets (identify quirky approaches that work).

Ask team members to add cards to each column, making sure no idea is too wild or out of bounds.

Facilitate a group review, inviting teams to elaborate on their favorite cards. Discuss how even the most extreme suggestions might unveil hidden truths or possibilities.

Guide the team to identify practical takeaways inspired by their favorite absurd ideas. Connect creative thoughts to real-world experiments for the next sprint.

End with a quick reflection: Did the absurd approach shift perspectives or spark new energy? Gather feedback for future improvement.

Pro Tips

Have an example or two ready in each column to set the tone and spark initial ideas.

Encourage everyone to build on each other's 'silly' suggestions instead of focusing on practicality at first.

Use storytelling or improv-style prompts if responses stall, keeping energy and imagination high.

After gathering ideas, pause to look for underlying patterns or hidden gems that might not be obvious at first glance.

FAQ

How do we get serious results from silly suggestions?

Once you've collected absurd ideas, guide the team to explore the practical insights hidden within the humor. Often, wild suggestions highlight ignored problems or spark unconventional solutions.

What if some team members hesitate to participate?

Set the example by sharing your own intentionally wild ideas and encourage a supportive, judgment-free atmosphere. Ask quieter team members direct, open-ended questions to invite contribution.

Can this template be used with distributed or newly formed teams?

Yes—it’s a powerful icebreaker and team-builder, especially helpful for breaking the ice in remote teams or shaking up established routines in any group.

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At a glance

Duration
35–50 min
Team Size
4-10 people
Columns
3 columns
Base Format
Start, Stop, Continue

Ready to get started?

Use this template to run your next retrospective

🦄 Absurd Antics

Step into a world without logic! Embrace the absurd to spark creative thinking and challenge norms in our agile process. Sometimes, the wildest ideas inspire the best solutions. Let’s turn nonsense into next-level progress!

Template Columns

🚀 Start Silly Solutions

🛑 Stop Strange Snafus

🎩 Continue Nonsense Nuggets

About this template