👋🌅 Farewell Journey
As we bid adieu to this chapter, let’s gather reflections and insights for future adventures. Share memories, lessons, and aspirations as we take our final retrospective steps together.
Template Columns
🌱 New Beginnings to Start
Suggest fresh habits or processes we should embrace as we embark on new paths.
Base column: Start🛑 Goodbyes to Stop
Highlight practices or obstacles we should leave behind as we close this chapter.
Base column: Stop🌟 Memories to Cherish & Continue
Celebrate what’s worth carrying forward on our next journey.
Base column: ContinueAbout this template
The Farewell Journey retrospective helps teams reflect on their shared experiences, honoring the past and preparing for future endeavors together. Participants explore what to start, stop, and carry forward as they transition to new chapters.
When to use this template
Use this retrospective when a team project or phase is ending, or when a team is about to disband or reorganize. It's perfect for concluding sprints, product releases, or team transitions to capture learning and foster closure.
How to facilitate
Welcome the group and acknowledge the purpose of this retrospective: to reflect together as you close this chapter and look forward to new beginnings.
Invite each team member to share initial thoughts or highlights about their time working together, setting an open and appreciative tone.
Guide everyone to add notes to each column: suggesting new beginnings to start, goodbyes to stop, and memories to cherish and continue.
Give participants time to review and react to others' contributions, encouraging discussion around shared experiences and perspectives.
Facilitate a group conversation to cluster similar items, discuss key takeaways, and celebrate successes as well as lessons learned.
Discuss any final actions or shared commitments the team would like to make as they transition onward.
Conclude by expressing gratitude for the collaboration and, if appropriate, offering a closing ritual or moment for goodbyes.
Pro Tips
Encourage storytelling—inviting concrete examples makes memories and lessons more meaningful.
Create space for emotion, acknowledging that farewells can be both exciting and bittersweet.
Use visual cues or photos from the team's journey to spark reflection and celebration.
Consider having each person share one wish or aspiration for each other moving forward.
FAQ
How do I support team members who feel emotional about the transition?
Acknowledge emotions as valid and invite sharing at a comfortable level. Reassure the group that it’s normal to feel a range of things when saying goodbye.
What if the team is eager to move on and not interested in reflecting?
Frame the retrospective as a way to preserve valuable lessons and celebrate achievements together, making future transitions smoother and more positive.
How can I keep the retrospective from becoming too negative or focused on regrets?
Balance the columns carefully by celebrating memories and lessons alongside discussing things to leave behind. Keep the tone constructive and appreciative.
At a glance
- Duration
45–60 min
- Team Size
4-15 people
- Columns
3 columns
- Base Format
Start, Stop, Continue
Tags
Ready to get started?
Use this template to run your next retrospective