🤧 Allergy Awareness
Let's clear the air! In this allergy-themed retro, we'll identify what boosts our team's health, what triggers discomfort, and what habits keep us thriving. Share freely and let's create a sneeze-free zone for our next sprint!
Template Columns
🌸 New Remedies (Start)
Suggest fresh actions or routines to help our team breathe easier and work better.
Base column: Start🚫 Irritants to Avoid (Stop)
Point out practices or blockers that cause project 'allergies' and should be eliminated.
Base column: Stop🌱 Trusted Prescriptions (Continue)
Highlight the reliable processes that support our collective well-being and productivity.
Base column: ContinueAbout this template
The Allergy Awareness retrospective helps teams surface project irritants, identify what supports group health, and propose fresh ways to improve team well-being in a light, allergy-themed format.
When to use this template
Use this retrospective when your team needs to clarify what's working, stop what's hindering progress, and brainstorm new supportive habits—especially after a challenging sprint or period of change.
How to facilitate
Open the session by explaining the allergy metaphor and encourage the team to think in terms of health, comfort, and irritants.
Review each column: New Remedies (Start) for fresh practices, Irritants to Avoid (Stop) for blockers and painful habits, Trusted Prescriptions (Continue) for proven methods supporting the team.
Set a short brainstorming round for team members to add notes to each column asynchronously or in real time.
Invite participants to discuss their notes, sharing why specific practices feel beneficial or irritating.
Group similar topics and encourage clarifying questions to deepen understanding of each issue or idea.
Prioritize the most critical 'irritants' and most promising 'new remedies' as a team.
Agree on concrete actions to try in the next sprint, assign clear owners if needed, and revisit trusted processes to ensure consistency.
Close with reflections on what a 'sneeze-free' sprint might look like, celebrating team input.
Pro Tips
Prompt quieter team members to contribute by offering specific examples related to each column.
Keep the conversation light and supportive to foster psychological safety around sensitive topics.
Use an anonymous note feature if addressing blockers that might be personal or involve interpersonal dynamics.
Include a quick check-out question to assess if everyone feels understood and comfortable with planned changes.
FAQ
What if team members are hesitant to share sensitive irritants?
Offer an anonymous input option and remind the group that openness leads to a healthier, more comfortable working environment.
How can we keep the conversation constructive?
Frame every issue as something the team can improve together, focusing on solutions and well-being rather than blame.
Is this format suitable for project post-mortems?
Yes, it helps identify root causes of discomfort and preserve what's working—making it great for both regular sprint reviews and end-of-project reflections.
At a glance
- Duration
30–40 min
- Team Size
4-10 people
- Columns
3 columns
- Base Format
Start, Stop, Continue
Tags
Ready to get started?
Use this template to run your next retrospective