šŸ¦’šŸ¦œ Exotic Animal Expedition

Embark on a wild safari and explore the unique beasts of our project jungle! Let’s discover which agile habitats thrive, tame unruly behaviors, and evolve together for a team ecosystem that’s vibrant and resilient.
45–60 min
4-12 people
Based on: Start, Stop, Continue, Change
šŸ¦’šŸ¦œ Exotic Animal Expedition

Template Columns

🦚 New Species to Discover (Start)

Suggest new practices or skills our agile team should introduce, just like spotting rare animals on a safari.

Base column: Start
šŸ•·ļø Traps to Avoid (Stop)

Identify habits or processes that no longer serve us—like steering clear of dangerous animal traps.

Base column: Stop
šŸ’ Jungle Rhythms (Continue)

Highlight ongoing actions or routines that help our team thrive in the wilderness.

Base column: Continue
šŸ¦‹ Metamorphosis Moments (Change)

Share ideas on how we can evolve or adapt our processes, inspired by nature’s constant change.

Base column: Change

About this template

The Exotic Animal Expedition retrospective invites your team on a playful journey to uncover new ideas, spot problems, reinforce effective routines, and inspire change—creating a vibrant, adaptable team culture.

When to use this template

Use this retrospective when your team needs a fresh, creative approach to identifying improvements or when energy and engagement could use a boost.

How to facilitate

1

Set the stage by welcoming the team to the 'expedition' and explain the safari-inspired column themes.

2

Ask each team member to reflect quietly and add notes to each column: new ideas (New Species), blockers (Traps), strengths (Jungle Rhythms), and opportunities for evolution (Metamorphosis Moments).

3

Facilitate group discussion by reviewing each column, starting with new practices to explore, and encourage sharing of stories or examples.

4

Cluster similar ideas together as a group and invite the team to vote on which topics are most important to address.

5

Deep-dive into top-voted items, exploring possible actions or experiments for the next sprint.

6

Decide on concrete action items, assigning owners, and clarify how the team will measure success.

7

Close with a fun check-out question related to the safari theme to reinforce engagement and signal the retrospective’s end.

Pro Tips

Prompt the team to think outside the box by asking about recent 'wild discoveries' or 'unexpected pitfalls.'

Use animal metaphors and playful language throughout to keep energy high and lower defenses when tackling tough topics.

Bring visual elements or themed virtual backgrounds to strengthen immersion and engagement.

Encourage quieter team members by rotating who shares first or using anonymous input options.

Follow up on previous 'safari finds' to reinforce accountability and learning.

FAQ

What if the animal theme feels too playful for some team members?

Invite participants to focus on the underlying intent of each column. Adjust language or simplify metaphors as needed to fit your team's comfort zone.

How do I make sure we don’t just generate fun ideas but also follow through?

Dedicate time to assign actions to owners by the end of the session and agree how progress will be tracked next sprint.

What if the same issues keep coming up in the 'Traps' column?

Use this as a signal to dig deeper. Ask open-ended questions about root causes and involve the team in co-creating solutions together.

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At a glance

  • Duration

    45–60 min

  • Team Size

    4-12 people

  • Columns

    4 columns

  • Base Format

    Start, Stop, Continue, Change

Tags

creative
engagement
start stop continue
team building
change
agile experiments
remote-friendly

Ready to get started?

Use this template to run your next retrospective