🏅 From Zero to Hero
Step into the hero’s journey! Reflect on challenges conquered, obstacles faced, and powers discovered as we level up our agile adventure together.
Template Columns
🌟 Heroic Triumphs
Share the moments where we rose to the occasion and achieved victories, big or small.
Base column: Glad😔 The Training Montage
Reveal struggles or setbacks that were tough but taught us something along our journey.
Base column: Sad🔥 Villainous Obstacles
Call out the blockers and frustrations that tried to defeat us this sprint.
Base column: MadAbout this template
The From Zero to Hero retrospective invites your team to reflect on recent challenges, celebrate achievements, and identify blockers using the hero's journey as a creative framework.
When to use this template
Use this template after demanding sprints, major milestones, or when your team needs a motivational boost and a fun, story-driven reflection.
How to facilitate
Welcome the team and introduce the hero's journey theme, setting an upbeat and adventurous tone.
Briefly explain each column and encourage everyone to recall moments that fit each part of the journey.
Allow silent time for team members to add their thoughts to each column, using real examples from the sprint.
Invite the group to review the board together, asking volunteers to elaborate on their notes and look for patterns.
Facilitate a group discussion that focuses on how the team overcame obstacles and what powers (skills or processes) were discovered.
Highlight key action items that can help the team overcome recurring villains in future sprints.
End by celebrating the heroic achievements and recognizing growth, no matter how small.
Pro Tips
Use storytelling prompts to help the team connect emotionally, such as 'What was our greatest battle this sprint?'
Keep the energy high by celebrating all forms of progress, including small wins.
Encourage quieter participants to share by inviting them into the conversation at reflective moments.
Periodically revisit your 'villainous obstacles' column over time to see what the team has conquered.
FAQ
How do I keep the discussion from becoming too negative?
Guide the group to balance obstacle identification with reflections on growth and victories, ensuring appreciation for both lessons learned and achievements.
What if team members are reluctant to share setbacks?
Lead by example with a personal story, and stress that all heroes face challenges—it’s how progress happens.
How can I make this retrospective engaging for a remote team?
Add visual or sound effects (like virtual badges) and prompt storytelling with hero-related questions to boost participation.
At a glance
- Duration
40–55 min
- Team Size
3-10 people
- Columns
3 columns
- Base Format
Glad, Sad, Mad
Tags
Ready to get started?
Use this template to run your next retrospective