🏖️ Baywatch Beach Patrol
Suit up, team! Dive into a sun-soaked retrospective as honorary lifeguards. Share the rescues (wins), surf lessons, close calls, and beach dreams that will keep our project safe in the waves of agile sprints!
Template Columns
🌊 Smooth Surf Sessions
Highlight the project moments where everything went swimmingly and we kept everyone safe and happy.
Base column: Liked🚩 Lifeguard Lessons
Share key swim and rescue lessons learned while patrolling the project beaches.
Base column: Learned⚠️ Riptides & Red Flags
Discuss the tools, support, or teamwork we were missing that could’ve helped us weather rough waters.
Base column: Lacked🏄♂️ Dream Waves
Imagine the improvements and features we wish we could catch on our next sprint's wave.
Base column: Longed ForAbout this template
The Baywatch Beach Patrol retrospective uses a playful beach theme to help teams reflect on their recent sprint by discussing successes, lessons learned, missing supports, and future dreams.
When to use this template
This format is ideal for energizing teams seeking a fresh, engaging perspective on retrospectives, especially after fast-paced sprints or when motivation needs a boost.
How to facilitate
Welcome the team and introduce the Baywatch Beach Patrol theme, setting a lighthearted and collaborative tone
Briefly explain each column: Smooth Surf Sessions (what went well), Lifeguard Lessons (what we learned), Riptides & Red Flags (what was missing or challenging), Dream Waves (improvements for next sprint)
Set a timer and invite everyone to add their thoughts to each column, encouraging both serious observations and beach-themed creativity
Guide the team through a group review of each column, facilitating discussion and clarifying where needed
Work together to identify key actions—especially from Lifeguard Lessons, Riptides & Red Flags, and Dream Waves—and capture specific owners
Wrap up with a quick roundtable: ask each team member to share their favorite beach moment or key takeaway from the session
Pro Tips
Tap into the theme by using playful language or sharing a virtual beach background to keep energy high
Encourage team members to acknowledge ‘hidden lifeguards’—those whose help or actions were quietly crucial to the team's success
Keep discussions focused but fun; celebrating small wins helps reinforce positive habits
Don’t skip over missed red flags—open conversations about what was lacking can uncover crucial improvements
FAQ
What if the team doesn't engage with the beach theme?
Keep things light and explain the value of creative thinking. Invite everyone to participate but focus on the reflection, not perfect theme alignment.
How do I help the team turn Dream Waves into practical actions?
Encourage participants to break big ideas into small steps and determine what can be tested or changed next sprint.
How can I keep the discussion from becoming too focused on negatives?
Balance each review of challenges with positive reinforcement from Smooth Surf Sessions and focus conversations on learning and future action.
At a glance
- Duration
45–60 min
- Team Size
4-10 people
- Columns
4 columns
- Base Format
Liked, Learned, Lacked, Longed For
Tags
Ready to get started?
Use this template to run your next retrospective