The Dinosaur Dig retrospective helps teams reflect on their sprint by unearthing effective practices, exposing challenges, and exploring opportunities for adaptation and improvement.

When to use this template

Use this retrospective at the end of a sprint when you want your team to have a playful, discovery-focused review of past practices, surface challenges, and brainstorm actionable improvements.

How to facilitate

Welcome the team and explain the Dinosaur Dig theme to create a relaxed, exploratory atmosphere.

Review the three columns: Fossil Finds for successes, Raptor Rumbles for challenges, and Evolution Experiments for improvements.

Give everyone a few minutes to add their thoughts to each column, encouraging honesty and creativity.

Invite participants to group and discuss similar items to identify patterns or recurring themes.

Facilitate a team conversation starting with Fossil Finds to celebrate wins, then move to Raptor Rumbles for constructive discussion of issues.

Guide the team in brainstorming Evolution Experiments, focusing on concrete ideas for adaptation and growth.

Prioritize the most promising experiments and agree on clear next steps with owners for follow-up.

Close by reflecting on how this process will help the team evolve together.

Pro Tips

Lean into the playful dinosaur theme to encourage curiosity and open sharing.

Ask the team to provide examples or stories behind their Fossil Finds or Raptor Rumbles for greater clarity.

Rotate facilitation roles to keep the retrospective fresh and foster broader engagement.

Use fun imagery or metaphors (like 'avoiding extinction events') to maintain energy and focus.

Set a visible 'extinction limit' to prevent revisiting the same old problems without action.

FAQ

How do I make the most of the dinosaur theme without it becoming distracting?

Use the theme as a lighthearted way to prompt creativity, but keep the focus on meaningful conversation and outcomes.

What if team members repeat points from past retrospectives?

Acknowledge recurring issues and frame them as ongoing fossils—then prioritize specific experiments to address them this time.

Can this format handle sensitive topics?

Yes—set guidelines for respectful discussion and use the playful format to reduce tension, but allow space for serious reflection if needed.

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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

Ready to get started?

Use this template to run your next retrospective

🦖🦕 Dinosaur Dig

Step back in time and uncover the fossils of our sprint! Let's discover which agile practices survived, which went extinct, and how we can evolve as a team. Ready to roar for improvement?

Template Columns

🦴 Fossil Finds

🌋 Raptor Rumbles

🌱 Evolution Experiments

About this template