🐶🐾 Pawesome Pack Retro
Gather your pack! Let’s sniff out what got our tails wagging, where we got stuck in the leash, and how we can fetch bigger wins together. Share your playful stories and help our team unleash its full potential!
Template Columns
🌬️ Tail-Wagging Wins
Share the moments that made our tails wag and energized the team.
Base column: Wind⚓ Tangled Leashes
Reflect on what kept us stuck or slowed down our progress, like a leash caught on a post.
Base column: Anchors🏃♂️ Fetch the Future
Suggest actions to help our pack fetch new achievements and run smoother together.
Base column: ActionsAbout this template
The Pawesome Pack Retro uses playful pet-inspired prompts to help teams celebrate wins, identify blockers, and brainstorm actionable improvements.
When to use this template
Best used when you want to bring positive energy and creativity to your retrospective, especially during periods of change, after fast-paced sprints, or when morale could use a lift.
How to facilitate
Begin by welcoming everyone and outlining the three columns. Encourage the group to embrace the playful dog theme to create a relaxed, open atmosphere.
Start with Tail-Wagging Wins and invite each team member to share moments that energized them or made the team proud. Give everyone time to add their stories.
Move to Tangled Leashes. Ask team members to reflect on what hindered progress, caused confusion, or felt like a 'leash tangle' during this period. Remind everyone to focus on processes, not individuals.
In Fetch the Future, encourage the team to propose ideas and actions that could help the pack run more smoothly and achieve new goals together.
Cluster similar items in each column and facilitate a short group discussion to clarify, expand, and prioritize insights.
Guide the team to select 1-3 feasible, impactful actions for the next sprint, ensuring accountability and owners for each.
Close by inviting everyone to share a fun 'pack commitment' (e.g., a dog-themed high five or a team cheer) to finish on a positive note.
Pro Tips
Let team members personalize their input with playful language or gifs to boost engagement and lighten the mood.
If discussion gets serious, use a quick 'paw break'—have everyone stretch or share a pet photo—to reset the tone.
Encourage quieter voices by prompting them gently or using anonymous submissions for sensitive topics.
Use real examples or data to support reflections, ensuring insights are grounded and actionable.
FAQ
What if the team feels the theme is too playful for serious issues?
Acknowledge that fun themes can ease tough conversations, but reassure the team there's space for all types of feedback—playfulness enhances, not detracts from, meaningful insights.
How do I ensure action items are followed up after the retro?
Assign owners and use your team's regular check-ins or workflow tools to track progress on agreed actions. Remind the team of their "pack commitments" at the start of the next retro.
Our team is shy with creative retros. How can I increase participation?
Invite everyone to contribute at least one item per column, possibly using anonymous input. Themed retros often help lower barriers, so play along as a facilitator to set the tone.
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At a glance
- Duration
45–60 min
- Team Size
3-10 people
- Columns
3 columns
- Base Format
Wind, Anchors, Actions
Tags
Ready to get started?
Use this template to run your next retrospective