šŸšŸ¶ Lady and the Tramp Retro

Share a plate of project ā€˜pasta’ as we stroll through our agile alleyways! Let’s savor the moments, sniff out what to leave behind, and continue moving paw-in-paw towards success.
40–60 min
4-10 people
Based on: Start, Stop, Continue
šŸšŸ¶ Lady and the Tramp Retro
Template Columns
šŸ First Tastes

Suggest fresh ideas or practices we should invite to our ā€˜spaghetti table’.

Base column: Start
🚫 Dropped Meatballs

Point out the habits or obstacles we should stop tripping over, just like rolling meatballs.

Base column: Stop
🐾 Perfect Strolls

Celebrate what’s working—those lovely walks and teamwork moments to keep cherishing.

Base column: Continue
About this template

The Lady and the Tramp Retro gathers your team to celebrate successes, introduce fresh ideas, and address recurring obstacles—all with a collaborative, light-hearted twist.

When to use this template

Use this format at the end of a sprint or project when you want to encourage creative thinking and team bonding while inspecting and adapting your ways of working.

How to facilitate
1

Welcome everyone and introduce the Lady and the Tramp Retro theme, explaining the purpose and the three columns: First Tastes, Dropped Meatballs, and Perfect Strolls.

2

Give each team member a few minutes to add notes to each column—fresh ideas for First Tastes, things to stop for Dropped Meatballs, and positives for Perfect Strolls.

3

Invite the team to review all submitted notes together, clarifying or grouping similar ones as needed.

4

Facilitate an open discussion on First Tastes to explore which new practices or ideas might be experimented with next.

5

Review the Dropped Meatballs column as a group, identifying which recurring issues should be prioritized for action.

6

Celebrate the Perfect Strolls by recognizing people and practices that are contributing to team success.

7

Collaboratively decide on specific action items to try, stop, or continue based on the discussion, and assign ownership as necessary.

8

Wrap up by reflecting on the process and soliciting feedback on the retro format.

Pro Tips

Lean into the playful theme to help team members feel more comfortable sharing honestly.

Encourage storytelling—ask people to share brief real-life examples tied to each column.

Rotate the facilitator role each retro to keep the experience fresh and engaging.

Prompt quieter team members with gentle, specific questions to ensure all voices are heard.

FAQ
What if the team struggles to come up with 'First Tastes' ideas?

Prime the group with broad prompts such as 'What have you seen work elsewhere?' or 'Is there a process you've wanted to try?' Consider surfacing ideas from recent feedback or industry trends.

How do we ensure 'Dropped Meatballs' feedback leads to real change?

Prioritize one or two actionable items and assign clear owners. Revisit progress on these items in the next retro to reinforce accountability.

How can we keep the 'Perfect Strolls' column impactful and not just routine praise?

Encourage team members to be specific in their praise—celebrate concrete examples or recent wins, and tie them back to team values or goals.

Is this format suitable for a serious or high-stakes project review?

The playful framing makes it ideal for most teams, but for high-stakes projects, clarify the retro’s objectives upfront and keep the discussion focused and respectful.

At a glance
  • Duration

    40–60 min

  • Team Size

    4-10 people

  • Columns

    3 columns

  • Base Format

    Start, Stop, Continue

Tags
creative
team bonding
agile
reflection
action-oriented
fun
Ready to get started?

Use this template to run your next retrospective