Board Game Bash is a playful, strategy-inspired retrospective where teams identify fresh tactics, remove unhelpful rules, and double down on winning moves to improve collaboration and results.

When to use this template

Use this format when your team needs to refresh routines, shake up stagnant processes, or inject creativity into your continuous improvement efforts.

How to facilitate

Set the stage by inviting team members to imagine their work as a collaborative board game adventure.

Explain the three columns: Draw New Cards for innovative ideas, Flip the Table for practices to discard, and Roll Again for approaches to repeat.

Open the floor for everyone to add thoughts and observations to each column, encouraging both specific examples and creative analogies.

Give participants time to read through the notes, discuss patterns, and ask clarifying questions to deepen understanding.

Facilitate a group discussion to agree on which new strategies to experiment with, which practices to retire, and which winning moves to repeat.

Collaboratively turn insights into 1–2 concrete action items for the next iteration.

End the session with a quick round of feedback or reflections about what participants enjoyed about the board game metaphor.

Pro Tips

Encourage playful thinking by using board game references—this helps the team look at problems from new angles.

Ask quieter team members directly about their favorite or least favorite game rules to draw out more input.

Use themed visuals or sound effects (like dice-rolling) to make the session more immersive and engaging.

FAQ

What if team members aren't familiar with board games?

Reassure them that no deep game knowledge is needed—just use the column prompts to think about team practices, blockers, and successes.

How do we ensure actionable outcomes from creative ideas?

At the end, focus on selecting specific, realistic action items that the team can commit to trying before the next sprint.

How do I keep the session from getting too silly or off-track?

Balance playfulness with purpose by steering conversations back to outcomes and learning from each game analogy shared.

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At a glance

Duration
40–55 min
Team Size
3-10 people
Columns
3 columns
Base Format
Start, Stop, Continue

Ready to get started?

Use this template to run your next retrospective

🎲♟️ Board Game Bash

Roll the dice and strategize your next moves! In this board game-inspired retro, reflect on team play, rule changes, and winning moves to keep leveling up our agile adventure.

Template Columns

🧩 Draw New Cards

⛔ Flip the Table

🏆 Roll Again

About this template