🏴‍☠️⚓ Pirates of the Caribbean Retrospective

Ahoy, brave crew! Sail into our Pirates of the Caribbean retro, where we discover buried treasures, dodge sea monsters, and plot a bold course for future sprints. Let’s captain our project to legendary status!
45–60 min
4-10 people
Based on: Start, Stop, Continue
🏴‍☠️⚓ Pirates of the Caribbean Retrospective
Template Columns
🧭 Set Sail (Start)

Chart new adventures by adding actions and practices we should embark on as a fearless crew.

Base column: Start
🦑 Abandon Ship! (Stop)

Call out those pesky krakens—habits or tasks to throw overboard for smoother sailing.

Base column: Stop
💎 Hoist the Colors (Continue)

Celebrate the pirate codes, teamwork, and victories we vow to continue on our voyage.

Base column: Continue
About this template

The Pirates of the Caribbean Retrospective invites teams to explore wins, challenges, and new courses of action in a playful, adventurous setting. Navigate project waters together by identifying what to start, stop, and continue for smoother journeys ahead.

When to use this template

Sail into this retro at the end of a sprint or milestone, especially when energy needs a boost or a creative twist will help energize reflection.

How to facilitate
1

Welcome the crew, set the pirate-themed context, and remind everyone the aim is open, adventurous reflection

2

Briefly explain each column: chart new practices to start, throw troublesome tasks overboard, and hoist the colors by celebrating what worked

3

Invite team members to add their reflections independently to each column in silence for a set time

4

Encourage the crew to read out or group similar cards, discussing the meaning and surfacing patterns or surprises

5

Facilitate a full group discussion on key items, using a timebox per theme to dive into root causes

6

Vote as a crew to decide which actions or ideas are most crucial to address for your next voyage

7

Create tangible action items with clear owners and timelines

8

Close the retro by acknowledging great contributions and setting intentions for your next adventurous sprint

Pro Tips

Set the mood with pirate music or virtual backgrounds to help everyone embrace the theme and ease into honest sharing

Use pirate lingo or themed icebreakers to lower barriers and spark creativity

Give quieter crew members the first chance to share or allow for anonymous submissions to encourage candor

Balance fun with focus by tying each column's insights to actionable outcomes

FAQ
How do I keep the team focused and not distracted by the pirate theme?

Blend playful elements with structure—set expectations upfront and connect every column to real project issues to ensure insights translate into action.

What if team members are shy about contributing?

Offer anonymous card submission and encourage everyone to add at least one idea per column. Icebreakers or round-robin sharing also build confidence.

How do we make sure action items don’t get lost after the retro?

Assign clear owners and deadlines for each action, then review progress briefly at the next team meeting or retrospective.

At a glance
  • Duration

    45–60 min

  • Team Size

    4-10 people

  • Columns

    3 columns

  • Base Format

    Start, Stop, Continue

Tags
team morale
creative
start-stop-continue
playful
reflection
action-oriented
Ready to get started?

Use this template to run your next retrospective