đ„© Brisket BBQ Bash
Gather âround the grill! Reflect on our sprint as master pitmasters, perfecting our brisket (project) with new rubs, removing what doesnât work, and keeping the slow-cook techniques that make us sizzle! Letâs serve up tasty improvements together.
Template Columns
đ„ New Rubs to Try
Suggest fresh ideas or techniques (new seasonings) to add flavor to our project.
Base column: StartđȘ Cut the Fat
Identify practices or blockers (excess fat) to trim away for a leaner, meaner workflow.
Base column: Stopđ°ïž Low & Slow Wins
Share whatâs already tender and working well (slow-cook successes) we should keep in our recipe.
Base column: ContinueAbout this template
The Brisket BBQ Bash retrospective encourages your team to reflect as pitmasters: adding fresh ideas, trimming unhelpful practices, and savoring whatâs working well for continued success.
When to use this template
Use this retrospective at the end of a sprint or project when you want a fun, engaging way to experiment with new approaches, refine your workflow, and celebrate strengths.
How to facilitate
Welcome the team and introduce the BBQ Bash theme to create a relaxed, approachable atmosphere for sharing.
Review each column's purposeâencouraging fresh ideas for 'New Rubs to Try,' highlighting blockers for 'Cut the Fat,' and appreciating strong practices in 'Low & Slow Wins.'
Allow everyone quiet time to add notes to each column, either simultaneously or in focus rounds, ensuring all voices are heard.
Invite participants to present their highlights, discussing the most flavorful new ideas, pain points to remove, and enduring successes.
Cluster similar items, then facilitate group discussion to prioritize actions, focusing on specific changes or improvements to try next.
Vote as a group on the most impactful ideas or blockers to address, and decide on clear owners for action items.
Close out the session by celebrating successes and confirming what will be carried forward into the next sprint or cycle.
Pro Tips
Lean into the BBQ imagery to lower barriers and spark creativityâmetaphors help teams talk openly about change.
Encourage quieter teammates to contribute by asking everyone to share at least one idea in each column.
Return to âLow & Slow Winsâ at the end to underscore the importance of consistency and patience in improvement.
Combine voting with open discussion to ensure the team buys in to the top new ârubsâ or changes.
Capture photos or notes summarizing chosen actions and what the team will carry forward to maintain momentum.
FAQ
What if the BBQ theme feels too informal for my team?
Adjust the language but keep the structureâdistinct columns for new ideas, blockers, and successes keep the process effective in any tone.
How can I encourage creative ideas in the âNew Rubs to Tryâ column?
Prompt your team with specific questions or invite brainstorming around recent challenges for which new solutions are needed.
What if the team struggles to agree on what âfatâ to cut?
Facilitate with examples or ask for anonymous submissions to surface blockers candidly, then use group voting or timeboxing to decide what to address first.
How do I follow up on action items from this retro?
Assign owners and due dates before closing, and check in on progress at the start of your next retrospective.
At a glance
- Duration
45â60 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