🎖️🪖 Operation Rescue
Gear up, squad! In this WWII‑themed retro we’ll plan our next mission, drop tactics that aren’t working, and keep the strategies that win the day.
Template Columns
🚀 Launch the Assault
Identify new actions or initiatives to kick‑off our next operation.
Base column: Start✋ Halt the Fire
Pinpoint practices that are causing friendly fire and should be ceased.
Base column: Stop✅ Hold the Line
Highlight the tactics that are holding the front and should be kept.
Base column: ContinueAbout this template
A WWII‑themed sprint retrospective where the squad launches new ideas, halts harmful practices, and holds onto winning tactics.
When to use this template
Ideal when the team wants a focused, action‑oriented review with a fun mission narrative.
How to facilitate
Introduce the Operation Rescue theme, explain the three columns, and set the timebox for each phase
Invite participants to silently add sticky notes to each column: new initiatives, practices to stop, and tactics to keep
Group similar ideas in Launch the Assault, discuss each proposed action and capture any quick wins
Review Halt the Fire items, vote on the most critical issues to cease, and agree on concrete stop actions
Examine Hold the Line entries, highlight the strongest tactics and decide how to reinforce them in the next sprint
Prioritize the agreed actions, assign owners, and close with a brief mission recap and next‑step checklist
Pro Tips
Use a quick timer for each column to keep energy high and prevent over‑analysis
Encourage participants to phrase items as clear, verb‑first statements for easier prioritization
After the retro, create a visual “mission board” that tracks the launch, halt, and hold actions over the next sprint
FAQ
What if the team struggles to generate ideas for a column?
Prompt with specific questions—e.g., “What new capability would help us win the next sprint?” for Launch the Assault—to spark thinking.
How do we handle disagreements on what to stop?
Facilitate a brief debate, then use a simple dot‑vote to let the majority decide which practice is most harmful.
Can this format work for larger teams?
Yes, split the team into smaller squads for the silent writing phase, then reconvene to merge and prioritize the results.
What if we run out of time?
Prioritize the most critical items in each column and defer lower‑priority ideas to a follow‑up session or the next retro.
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At a glance
- Duration
45–60 min
- Team Size
4-12 people
- Columns
3 columns
- Base Format
Start, Stop, Continue
Tags
Ready to get started?
Use this template to run your next retrospective