The Emoji Express retrospective uses emojis as a creative lens for teams to reflect on wins, pain points, and new strategies, making team feedback more lively and accessible.

When to use this template

Use this format when you want to energize your team, break communication barriers, or add creativity to routine retrospectives. It's ideal for teams looking to increase engagement or lighten the mood while addressing serious topics.

How to facilitate

Begin by welcoming the team to Emoji Express and encouraging everyone to select a favorite emoji that reflects their current mood.

Briefly introduce each column, emphasizing that feedback can be expressed using emoji combinations, short text, or both.

Ask team members to add their notes and emojis to each column: sparkling new ideas, practices to stop, and actions to continue.

Give everyone time to silently review and add reactions or emoji responses to other teammates’ notes.

Facilitate a group discussion column by column, inviting contributors to explain their emoji choices and digging into hot topics or patterns.

Work together to identify 1-3 key action items or experiments for the next sprint.

Wrap up by inviting a final emoji that captures the team’s retrospective experience or mood today.

Pro Tips

Kickstart creativity by sharing fun emoji examples or an emoji cheat sheet at the start.

If discussions stall, ask prompting questions like What emoji best represents this situation?

Encourage quieter team members by allowing nonverbal emoji responses or chat-based contributions.

Periodically rotate who gets to pick the 'emoji of the sprint' to keep things fresh.

Keep emoji use purposeful—invite explanations so meaning doesn’t get lost in translation.

FAQ

What if someone is unsure which emoji to use?

Encourage them to pick one that feels close or combine two emojis. Remind the team that the goal is to share honestly, not to be perfect with choices.

How do we ensure that emoji feedback is understood?

Ask for brief explanations to accompany emoji notes. Make sure all team members feel comfortable asking clarifying questions during the discussion.

Is this format effective for serious or challenging topics?

Yes, emojis can soften discussions while still surfacing tough issues. Just ensure the facilitator models respectful, constructive conversation.

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At a glance

Duration
35–50 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

😀 Emoji Express

All aboard the Emoji Express! Use your favorite emojis to express team wins, bumps, and the best routes forward. Let’s communicate with color and creativity as we reflect and improve our agile journey!

Template Columns

✨ Start Sparkling Strategies

🛑 Stop Frowny Faces

👍 Keep the Good Vibes Rolling

About this template