🎨 Masterpiece in Progress
Welcome to our artistic studio! Let’s splash the canvas of our iteration with bold successes, muted frustrations, and creative critiques. Together, we'll blend our efforts into a true masterpiece.
Template Columns
đźź© Brushstrokes of Joy
Highlight the vibrant moments and achievements that added color to our project.
Base column: Glad🌧️ Faded Hues
Share areas where inspiration dimmed or outcomes didn’t shine as bright as hoped.
Base column: Sad🎠Smeared Paints
Express frustrations or blockers that muddied our artistic process.
Base column: MadAbout this template
Masterpiece in Progress is a creative retrospective format that encourages teams to reflect on successes, setbacks, and frustrations using expressive, art-inspired language.
When to use this template
Use this format when you want to spark creativity in your retrospective, especially after a challenging sprint, creative project, or innovation cycle.
How to facilitate
Set the stage by briefly introducing the theme and encouraging the team to embrace creativity in their reflections
Present the three columns: Brushstrokes of Joy for achievements, Faded Hues for disappointments, and Smeared Paints for challenges
Ask everyone to quietly add their thoughts to each column, focusing on both their own experiences and observations about the team
Once submissions are in, invite team members to share and discuss their notes, exploring root causes and connections across columns
Facilitate a collaborative discussion to identify key learnings and choose areas for improvement
Brainstorm concrete action items together, ensuring ownership and follow-up clarity
Close by reflecting on the overall canvas—what stands out, and how the team can blend strengths with lessons learned in the next iteration
Pro Tips
Encourage team members to use visual metaphors or creative expressions when contributing to columns to spark deeper insights
Rotate the facilitator or allow a 'guest artist' to open the session for fresh perspective and engagement
Create a follow-up visual (like a digital mural) summarizing key discussion points and agreements to reinforce the theme
Remind the team that not every part of the process will be perfect—celebrating small wins and learning from imperfections keeps the masterpiece growing
FAQ
What if the team struggles with the creative language of this template?
Reassure them that the focus is on honest reflection, not artistic skill—invite all contributions, whether literal or metaphorical.
How do I keep the discussion constructive in the Smeared Paints column?
Guide the team to separate the frustration from blame, focusing on process improvements rather than personal criticism.
Can this template work for non-creative teams?
Absolutely—the art theme is simply a fun lens for deeper reflection. Any team can benefit from exploring their 'masterpiece' together.
At a glance
- Duration
35–50 min
- Team Size
4-10 people
- Columns
3 columns
- Base Format
Glad, Sad, Mad
Tags
Ready to get started?
Use this template to run your next retrospective