šŸ”„šŸ” Backyard BBQ Bash

Time to fire up our agile grill! Reflect on what sizzled, what got burned, and how we can turn up the flavor next sprint. Let’s cook up some improvements together!
45–60 min
4-10 people
Based on: What Went Well, What Went Wrong, What We Want to Improve
šŸ”„šŸ” Backyard BBQ Bash
Template Columns
šŸ”„ Sizzling Successes

Share the highlights that made this sprint as satisfying as the perfect BBQ.

Base column: What Went Well
🄵 Overcooked Moments

Discuss the issues that left us a bit charred or underwhelmed this sprint.

Base column: What Went Wrong
🌽 Extra Seasoning Needed

Identify ways to spice up our process and grill up even better results next time.

Base column: What We Want to Improve
About this template

The Backyard BBQ Bash retrospective invites your team to reflect on wins, pain points, and improvement ideas using a fun BBQ theme, fostering open and engaging dialogue.

When to use this template

Use this template when your team needs a fresh, energizing format to celebrate successes, address challenges, and brainstorm actionable improvements.

How to facilitate
1

Kick off by welcoming the team, introducing the BBQ theme, and explaining the purpose of each column to set a fun, casual tone.

2

Ask everyone to note their Sizzling Successes, focusing on highlights and positive moments from the sprint.

3

Move on to Overcooked Moments, encouraging candid sharing of what didn’t go as planned or felt overwhelming.

4

Have the team brainstorm Extra Seasoning Needed, identifying specific actions or processes that could enhance future sprints.

5

Review all contributions as a group and discuss any notable patterns or surprises, giving everyone a chance to clarify or expand.

6

Collaboratively select key action items from the Extra Seasoning column to implement in the next sprint.

7

Wrap up by acknowledging the team’s input and commitment to continuous improvement, closing the retrospective on a positive, forward-looking note.

Pro Tips

Set the mood by opening with a fun BBQ-related icebreaker to get everyone relaxed and talking.

Encourage quieter team members to add their ideas via sticky notes or chat to ensure every voice is heard before group discussion.

Use specific examples for both successes and challenges to move beyond vague feedback.

Limit time spent in each column to keep the retrospective focused and energetic.

Revisit previous ā€˜Extra Seasoning’ action items to track progress and build accountability over time.

FAQ
What if team members hesitate to share Overcooked Moments?

Remind everyone that honest reflection is essential for growth and frame feedback as chances to improve, not criticize.

How do we ensure Extra Seasoning Needed leads to real change?

Define clear, actionable and time-bound improvements and assign owners for accountability before closing the retrospective.

Is this format suitable for larger teams?

For teams over ten people, split into breakout groups to keep discussions lively and give everyone a voice.

At a glance
  • Duration

    45–60 min

  • Team Size

    4-10 people

  • Columns

    3 columns

  • Base Format

    What Went Well, What Went Wrong, What We Want to Improve

Tags
fun
reflection
action-oriented
team engagement
continuous improvement
agile
virtual-friendly
Ready to get started?

Use this template to run your next retrospective