🎯 Hitting the Bullseye: Goal-Oriented Retrospective
Sharpen your focus! In this goal-oriented retrospective, align our actions with our targets. Reflect on what propels us forward, what distracts us, and what keeps our sights set on success. Ready, aim, improve!
Template Columns
🏹 Draw the Bow (Start)
Identify new strategies or habits to initiate that will drive us closer to our goals.
Base column: Start🚫 Missed Shots (Stop)
Spot actions or patterns that pull us off target and should be left behind.
Base column: Stop🎯 Steady Aim (Continue)
Highlight what’s working well and helping us stay true to our objectives.
Base column: ContinueAbout this template
This goal-oriented retrospective helps teams reflect on their actions and align efforts with key objectives by identifying what to start, stop, and continue.
When to use this template
Use this retrospective when you need to refocus the team on specific goals, after a sprint with shifting priorities, or to realign direction after encountering obstacles.
How to facilitate
Begin by restating the team's main goal or objectives and set the tone for a focused discussion.
Invite everyone to contribute ideas in the 'Draw the Bow' column, suggesting new strategies or habits that could move the team closer to its targets.
Move to 'Missed Shots' and ask team members to identify distractions or behaviors that have taken the team off track—add these to the stop column.
Reflect on the 'Steady Aim' column by gathering input on actions or patterns that are effectively supporting your goals.
Review all columns together, clarifying points and encouraging discussion to surface common themes or insights.
Collaboratively agree on concrete action items based on inputs, assigning owners and measurable outcomes.
Summarize the key takeaways and reiterate commitments before closing the session.
Pro Tips
Ask the team to reference recent metrics or OKRs to ground the conversation in real outcomes.
Encourage honest sharing about blockers or distractions, including those outside the team's direct control.
Limit each column’s contributions to ensure depth over breadth—prioritize the most impactful items.
Prompt the team to think of both individual and collective practices in each column.
Revisit top actions during your next retrospective to track progress and accountability.
FAQ
What if our goals aren't clear or everyone has a different focus?
Start the session by realigning on shared team objectives before diving into the columns to ensure collective focus.
How do we avoid repeating the same action items in every retro?
Regularly review past action items and challenge the team to reflect on real changes and outcomes, adjusting focus as needed.
What if team members hesitate to add negative items to 'Missed Shots'?
Create a psychologically safe environment by encouraging candor, using anonymous input, and leading by example as the facilitator.
At a glance
- Duration
40–55 min
- Team Size
4-10 people
- Columns
3 columns
- Base Format
Start, Stop, Continue
Tags
Ready to get started?
Use this template to run your next retrospective