The Mean Girls High School Drama retrospective adds a playful twist to Start, Stop, Continue by channeling iconic high school drama tropes, helping teams reflect in a fun, engaging way.

When to use this template

Use this format when your team needs a fresh burst of energy or to break the ice after a tough sprint. It's especially effective for injecting humor and creativity into reflection sessions.

How to facilitate

Introduce the Mean Girls theme and explain the playful intent behind each column to set an open, inclusive mood.

Invite each team member to brainstorm individually and add cards to the Start, Stop, and Continue columns based on recent team experiences.

Review submitted items together, encouraging team members to elaborate on their suggestions and connect examples to real project situations.

Facilitate a group discussion on key themes, using humor to diffuse tension while ensuring all serious points are acknowledged.

Prioritize action items from the Start and Stop columns, aligning on next steps and owners.

Wrap up by highlighting strengths from the Continue column and celebrating your squad’s best team habits.

Pro Tips

Lean into the playful theme, but ensure all participants feel comfortable and included, avoiding any inside jokes that might alienate others.

Encourage team members to share specific examples to make feedback actionable, not just entertaining.

Balance the fun with thoughtful facilitation to ensure important improvement ideas are still addressed.

Keep readiness to shift tone if discussions become too personal—focus on behaviors, not individuals.

FAQ

What if someone feels uncomfortable with the theme?

Acknowledge the theme is just for a fun atmosphere and adjust the level of playfulness based on the team's comfort. Always prioritize psychological safety.

How do we keep the session productive with a playful format?

Set expectations at the start—invite humor, but clarify that the goal is meaningful improvement. Use timeboxes and redirect if discussion drifts too far.

Is this template appropriate for new or less cohesive teams?

It can be, but monitor team dynamics closely. If the group seems hesitant, maintain a lighter touch with the theme and focus on building trust first.

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At a glance

Duration
45–60 min
Team Size
4-10 people
Columns
3 columns
Base Format
Start, Stop, Continue

Ready to get started?

Use this template to run your next retrospective

👛💄 Mean Girls High School Drama

Welcome to North Shore High! Channel your inner Plastics as we dish on what to start, stop, and continue so our squad can rule the project halls—fetch and flawlessly! Remember: teamwork is so much better than burn books.

Template Columns

🌟 Start Being 'So Fetch'

❌ Stop Making 'Burn Book' Mistakes

💖 Continue Wearing Pink (On Wednesdays)

About this template