🏴☠️⚓ 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!
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: ContinueAbout 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
Welcome the crew, set the pirate-themed context, and remind everyone the aim is open, adventurous reflection
Briefly explain each column: chart new practices to start, throw troublesome tasks overboard, and hoist the colors by celebrating what worked
Invite team members to add their reflections independently to each column in silence for a set time
Encourage the crew to read out or group similar cards, discussing the meaning and surfacing patterns or surprises
Facilitate a full group discussion on key items, using a timebox per theme to dive into root causes
Vote as a crew to decide which actions or ideas are most crucial to address for your next voyage
Create tangible action items with clear owners and timelines
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
Ready to get started?
Use this template to run your next retrospective