š¾ Dog Day Demo
Letās unleash our teamās potential in this dog-themed retro! Sniff out wins, dig up buried blockers, and fetch new tricks to keep our pack running strong. Ready to wag some tails and learn together?
Template Columns
š¶ Wagging Tails (Wins)
Share what made our tails wag this sprintācelebrate the achievements and happy moments!
Base column: Windš¦“ Buried Bones (Blockers)
Dig up obstacles or old bones that tripped us up or slowed us down.
Base column: Anchorsš New Tricks (Actions)
Suggest new tricks, habits, or actions for our pack to try in the next sprint.
Base column: ActionsAbout this template
Dog Day Demo is a playful, dog-themed retrospective format that energizes teams to celebrate wins, dig into blockers, and suggest actionable improvements.
When to use this template
Use this format when your team needs fresh energy or a morale boost, especially after busy sprints or challenging projects. It's perfect for fostering positivity, open discussion, and creative action-taking.
How to facilitate
Welcome everyone and introduce the Dog Day Demo theme, encouraging playful and open-minded participation.
Explain each column: Wagging Tails for wins, Buried Bones for blockers, and New Tricks for action items.
Give team members a few minutes to add cards in each column, reflecting on the sprint and using the dog theme for inspiration.
Invite participants to read cards out loud or vote for key items in each column, ensuring everyone has a chance to share.
Discuss top items as a group, focusing first on wins to set a positive tone, then moving to blockers, and finishing with brainstorming actionable new tricks.
Agree on a shortlist of new tricks (action items) the team will commit to, assigning owners and due dates as needed.
Wrap up with a brief round of 'Dog Treats'āa quick acknowledgment or gratitude to team members for their contributions.
Pro Tips
Open with a short icebreaker, like sharing your favorite dog breed or dog-related story, to break the ice and engage the team.
Encourage team members to link blockers directly to potential 'new tricks' for collaborative action planning.
Rotate who facilitates each time; a new 'Pack Leader' can bring fresh energy and perspective.
Prompt quieter team members by asking open-ended questions about their sprint experience.
Use light humor or fun dog-themed visuals to reinforce the playful atmosphere and keep engagement high.
FAQ
How do I keep the team engaged during a playful theme?
Lean into the theme by adding fun visuals, sound effects, or themed icebreakers, but always keep the focus on productive discussion and actionable outcomes.
How do I handle sensitive blockers in a light-hearted format?
Acknowledge serious obstacles respectfully and balance the playful tone with empathy; make space for honest discussion before moving on to solutions.
How do we ensure action items (new tricks) are followed up?
Assign clear owners and due dates in the meeting and review progress at the start of the next retrospective.
At a glance
- Duration
45ā60 min
- Team Size
4-10 people
- Columns
3 columns
- Base Format
Wind, Anchors, Actions
Tags
Ready to get started?
Use this template to run your next retrospective