🟡👾 Pac-Man Power-Up
Chomp through obstacles and dodge the ghosts of blockers! Reflect on power pellets (successes), dead ends (challenges), and strategies for high scores. Let's gobble up improvements and level up our teamwork!
Template Columns
🟢 Power Pellets to Collect
Share new actions or strategies we should start to boost our progress, just like finding power pellets!
Base column: Start🚫 Ghosts to Avoid
Identify the habits or blockers that keep chasing us and should be stopped for smoother gameplay.
Base column: Stop💫 Dots to Keep Eating
Highlight what's working well and should continue, helping us stay on track for the next level!
Base column: ContinueAbout this template
The Pac-Man Power-Up retrospective uses playful arcade analogies to help teams reflect on what energizes them, what drags them down, and what should stay consistent. Teams analyze successes, blockers, and ongoing strengths to generate strategic improvements together.
When to use this template
Use this format when you want to energize the team, especially after a challenging sprint or when motivation needs a boost. It’s ideal for teams seeking to tackle persistent blockers and drive actionable change in a fun, approachable way.
How to facilitate
Open with a quick explanation of the Pac-Man theme, tying each column to team behaviors and outcomes for clarity.
Invite everyone to add their reflections to each column: strategies and actions to start (Power Pellets), blockers to stop (Ghosts), and what’s working to continue (Dots).
Give the team a few minutes to read through each other’s notes and group similar items together.
Discuss each column as a group, focusing especially on recurring Ghosts and new Power Pellet ideas.
Prioritize a handful of key actions or experiments to address as a team in the next sprint.
Wrap up with a quick round—ask each person what one action they’ll personally help with to power up the team.
Pro Tips
Use a playful, competitive spirit to keep energy high without losing focus on real challenges.
Encourage specific, observable behaviors in each column, not just general attitudes.
When grouping topics, let team members move cards to promote ownership of the discussion.
Connect Ghosts directly to Power Pellets by brainstorming counter-actions for each blocker.
FAQ
What if the Pac-Man theme feels too playful for my team?
Focus on the purpose behind each column and adjust the language to suit your team, keeping the format’s structure while dialing down the arcade references if needed.
How can I prevent the discussion from getting stuck on blockers (Ghosts)?
Limit time on each column, and always move from Ghosts to brainstorming Power Pellets so the team shifts toward solutions.
What’s the best way to ensure actions from this retro are implemented?
Assign clear owners or champions for each prioritized Power Pellet and check in briefly at the next retrospective.
Can this work for a large team?
For teams larger than ten, split into smaller groups for reflections, then reconvene to share highlights and set actions. This keeps everyone engaged.
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At a glance
- Duration
45–60 min
- Team Size
4-10 people
- Columns
3 columns
- Base Format
Start, Stop, Continue
Tags
Ready to get started?
Use this template to run your next retrospective