The Hogwarts House Retrospective uses fun wizarding themes to spark team reflection, inviting members to identify new practices, clear away blockers, and celebrate rituals worth keeping.

When to use this template

Ideal for teams seeking a creative, magical twist to reignite engagement or break out of routine retros, especially when team morale or participation needs a boost.

How to facilitate

Set the scene by inviting everyone to the 'Great Hall,' introducing the magical theme and column meanings to spark creativity.

Ask each participant to share their magical 'Spellbinding Starts,' suggesting new habits or experiments the team could try.

Switch focus to 'Banish the Boggarts,' encouraging team members to reveal blockers, pain points, or unhelpful behaviors to leave behind.

Move to 'Enchanted Continuum,' having the group recognize and champion the rituals and habits that truly help the team succeed.

Cluster similar ideas together, discuss the reasoning behind suggestions, and prioritize actionable changes.

Vote on the top ideas for 'Starts' and 'Stops,' and decide who will champion each action.

Wrap up by summarizing key takeaways and casting a 'Closing Spell'—everyone shares one word for how they’re feeling post-retro.

Pro Tips

Encourage everyone to lean into the theme—costumes, backgrounds, or nicknames can increase engagement.

Use visual cues or playful language to make discussions light but focused.

Invite quieter members to share their spells and banishments via chat or sticky notes first.

Remind the team to link all action items to practical outcomes, not just fun ideas.

Balance imagination with actionable follow-up, so the magic leads to real improvements.

FAQ

Do you need Harry Potter fans for this retrospective to work?

No, the theme is just for fun. Explain each column clearly so everyone can participate, regardless of fandom level.

How do you make sure this retro leads to real change, not just fun?

Encourage the team to turn imaginative ideas into clear, actionable tasks, and assign owners for each follow-up item.

What if the theme distracts from serious issues?

Guide conversations back to team goals, using the theme to lighten the mood, not avoid topics. Remind the group that even banishing 'boggarts' (blockers) is essential for progress.

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At a glance

Duration
40–55 min
Team Size
4-12 people
Columns
3 columns
Base Format
Start, Stop, Continue

Ready to get started?

Use this template to run your next retrospective

🧙‍♂️⚡ Hogwarts House Retrospective

Wizards and witches, gather in the Great Hall! Let’s use our magic to reflect on our sprint: celebrate spells that worked, uncover dark arts to stop, and brew new potions for future success. Accio great teamwork!

Template Columns

🪄 Spellbinding Starts

🚫 Banish the Boggarts

🦉 Enchanted Continuum

About this template