🦆 Duck Pond Reflection
Take a waddle around our project pond! Let’s reflect on what kept us afloat, what made waves, and which actions will help us glide smoothly together. Share your thoughts as we paddle toward even better teamwork!
Template Columns
🐣 Hatch New Habits
Share fresh ideas and positive actions we should start to keep our team paddling in sync.
Base column: Start🚫 Quack Out the Noise
Call out what’s causing ripples or distraction that we should stop doing to keep our pond peaceful.
Base column: Stop🌊 Smooth Glides
Highlight the actions and practices that keep us gliding smoothly and should continue.
Base column: ContinueAbout this template
The Duck Pond Reflection retrospective helps teams identify new habits, remove distractions, and reinforce what works, using a playful pond-themed format.
When to use this template
Use this retrospective after a sprint, project, or milestone when the team wants to boost collaboration, shake up routine formats, or address both new ideas and challenges.
How to facilitate
Welcome the team and introduce the playful Duck Pond theme to set a relaxed, open tone
Briefly review the meaning of each column, encouraging everyone to think in terms of habits, distractions, and effective actions
Allow everyone a few quiet minutes to jot down their thoughts in each column, using real examples from the recent sprint or project
Invite the team to share their cards, grouping similar items and clarifying where needed
Facilitate a supportive discussion around each column, dig deeper into recurring patterns, and celebrate smooth glides
Collaboratively select the top actions or habits to start, stop, or sustain, prioritizing those most impactful for teamwork
Confirm clear owners for action items and agree on how progress will be tracked in the next cycle
Close by reflecting briefly on the experience of the Duck Pond format and gathering quick feedback
Pro Tips
Seed an example in each column before the session to spark creative thinking
Encourage quieter team members to share by using chat or anonymous entries
Revisit previous action items at the start to demonstrate follow-through and accountability
For larger teams, use breakout groups to ensure everyone’s voice is heard
Shift the energy by inviting light-hearted pond or duck-themed mentions to keep the mood fun
FAQ
What if the team struggles to come up with new habits?
Have a few prompts or starter ideas ready, and encourage them to think about pain points or observed successes that could become habits.
How can we ensure distractions are addressed, not just listed?
Prioritize quick wins and assign a clear owner to each distraction, so actions are tracked and reviewed next time.
Is the playful theme suitable for all teams?
Yes, but if the group finds it too informal, focus on the underlying column concepts and tailor your facilitation style.
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At a glance
- Duration
35–50 min
- Team Size
4-12 people
- Columns
3 columns
- Base Format
Start, Stop, Continue
Tags
Ready to get started?
Use this template to run your next retrospective