🌸 May Blossoms Retrospective
As spring awakens, let’s cultivate our team garden! Reflect on what new habits we’ll plant, weeds to pull, and blossoms to nurture for a thriving project season.
Template Columns
🌱 Seeds to Plant
Share fresh ideas or habits we should start cultivating this May.
Base column: Start🌪️ Weeds to Uproot
Identify blockers or unhelpful practices we should stop this month.
Base column: Stop🌷 Blossoms to Tend
Highlight successful actions or habits we should continue nurturing as our team grows.
Base column: ContinueAbout this template
The May Blossoms Retrospective invites teams to use a spring-themed lens, focusing on new initiatives to start, issues to remove, and successes to improve.
When to use this template
This retrospective is well-suited for the start of a new quarter, project season, or whenever your team wants to refresh routines and encourage growth.
How to facilitate
Welcome the team with the springtime theme and explain the significance of each column: Seeds to Plant (new ideas), Weeds to Uproot (blockers), Blossoms to Tend (successes)
Ask everyone to individually brainstorm their thoughts for each column and write them on virtual sticky notes
Invite team members to share their notes in each column, briefly explaining their suggestions
Discuss common themes or surprises, encouraging dialogue around root causes and new opportunities
Collaboratively prioritize key items from each column and decide on 1–2 concrete actions for the next iteration
Wrap up by capturing agreed action items and acknowledging contributions, reinforcing the positive and forward-focused atmosphere
Pro Tips
Encourage quieter team members to share by using anonymous input or round-robin sharing
Frame 'Weeds to Uproot' constructively, focusing on process issues rather than personal criticism
Relate 'Blossoms to Tend' to recent wins, even small ones, to boost team morale
Theme the session visually with spring backgrounds or imagery to set a fresh, energetic tone
FAQ
How do I keep the conversation positive when discussing 'Weeds to Uproot'?
Guide the discussion toward process improvements instead of blame. Emphasize learning and growth, not fault.
What if the team struggles to think of 'Seeds to Plant'?
Prompt with examples of small experiments or ask what blockers could be solved by trying something new. Use this time to foster creative thinking.
How many action items should we commit to?
Limit to one or two per category to maintain focus and ensure follow-through in the next cycle.
What if one column dominates the discussion?
Timebox each section and check in with the group to balance energy between all three columns.
At a glance
- Duration
40–50 min
- Team Size
3-10 people
- Columns
3 columns
- Base Format
Start, Stop, Continue
Tags
Ready to get started?
Use this template to run your next retrospective