🍑🏙️ Atlanta Planning Jam
Welcome to our Atlanta-themed retro! Let’s gather like planners in the Peach City, reflecting on wins, hurdles, and what could make our next quarter even sweeter. Think southern hospitality, city lights, and sweet progress!
Template Columns
🍑 Sweet Successes
Celebrate the fruitful moments and positive outcomes from our quarterly planning in Atlanta.
Base column: What Went Well🚧 Atlanta Traffic Jams
Discuss bumps in the road or bottlenecks that slowed us down.
Base column: What Went Wrong🌇 Skyline Upgrades
Share fresh ideas and improvements to make next quarter even brighter.
Base column: What We Want to ImproveAbout this template
The Atlanta Planning Jam retrospective uses city-themed prompts to help teams celebrate successes, navigate bottlenecks, and spark creative ideas for future improvements. Participants reflect on a recent planning period, inspired by southern hospitality and urban energy.
When to use this template
Use this retro after a quarterly planning cycle or milestone to identify what worked, address slowdowns, and ideate on future improvements. It's especially effective for energizing teams that need a morale boost and fresh perspective.
How to facilitate
Start the session with a quick Atlanta-themed icebreaker to set a fun, welcoming atmosphere
Share the purpose of each column: Sweet Successes for wins, Atlanta Traffic Jams for obstacles, and Skyline Upgrades for forward-thinking ideas
Allow team members 8–10 minutes to silently add notes to each column, encouraging them to reflect specifically on planning processes and outcomes
Review each column together, inviting team members to clarify or expand on their notes, and identify key patterns or shared experiences
Facilitate a group discussion to prioritize which Traffic Jams need immediate attention and which Skyline Upgrades can be turned into actionable items
Collaboratively select concrete action items and assign owners for follow-up in the next planning cycle
Close by celebrating Sweet Successes as a group, acknowledging standout contributions and reinforcing a positive, supportive team culture
Pro Tips
Encourage storytelling—ask team members to describe specific moments or examples when adding to each column
Visualize major 'traffic jams' with quick drawings or diagrams to make bottlenecks more tangible
Reference team data or OKRs during the 'Skyline Upgrades' discussion for grounded improvement ideas
Rotate the facilitator role each time you use this retro for fresh energy and perspectives
FAQ
What if the team has trouble identifying 'Sweet Successes'?
Prompt them with specific wins or positive changes, and invite everyone to share even small victories to build momentum.
How do we avoid getting stuck only on traffic jams and problems?
Balance is key—start with wins, ensure the facilitator redirects the group to solutions, and reserve focused time for forward-thinking upgrades.
What if some 'Skyline Upgrades' feel unrealistic?
Encourage blue-sky thinking, but guide the group to select practical, achievable actions that can be started in the next cycle.
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At a glance
- Duration
45–60 min
- Team Size
3-10 people
- Columns
3 columns
- Base Format
What Went Well, What Went Wrong, What We Want to Improve
Tags
Ready to get started?
Use this template to run your next retrospective