🦄🌈 Pony Retro
Gallop into this magical retrospective where we channel the spirit of ponies to discover what helps our team run free, what slows us down, and how we can glide forward together! Saddle up for a journey to brighter pastures!
Template Columns
🌱 Plant New Seeds
Suggest fresh ideas or practices to help our herd thrive and grow faster.
Base column: Start🛑 Rein In Bad Habits
Highlight routines or hurdles that are tripping up our herd so we can corral them for good.
Base column: Stop✨ Gallop With Grace
Celebrate what keeps our herd united and trotting smoothly ahead on the path to success.
Base column: ContinueAbout this template
The Pony Retro uses whimsical pony-inspired themes to energize the team, explore new opportunities, address impediments, and celebrate effective practices.
When to use this template
Best used when your team needs a creative boost or a break from routine retrospectives, or when energy and collaboration feel low across the group.
How to facilitate
Welcome the team with the Pony Retro theme and explain the meaning behind each column for context
Invite everyone to silently add ideas to each column: Plant New Seeds for suggestions, Rein In Bad Habits for challenges, and Gallop With Grace for positive momentum
Encourage participants to group similar cards together and clarify intent if needed for shared understanding
Guide the team in discussing each column, starting with the positives (Gallop With Grace), then challenges (Rein In Bad Habits), ending with new ideas (Plant New Seeds)
Facilitate prioritization by asking the team which issues or ideas are most important to address immediately
Help the team co-create concrete action items based on the top-voted topics, assigning owners for follow-through
Wrap up by appreciating everyone’s candid input and ending on an uplifting note, reinforcing team spirit
Pro Tips
Lean into the playful theme with fun backgrounds, pony graphics, or themed music to energize the session
Give quieter team members opportunities to share by inviting responses in chat before open discussion
Encourage storytelling—ask for examples of 'Galloping With Grace' that highlight team values in action
Balance enthusiasm with focus so the fun theme supports, rather than distracts from, meaningful insights
FAQ
What if some team members feel uncomfortable with a whimsical theme?
Acknowledge different comfort levels and set expectations that the theme is just a framework to encourage creativity, not to distract from important topics.
How do you keep the session focused amid the playful approach?
Set clear time limits for sections and gently guide the group back to goals if the topic drifts or conversation gets too playful.
Can this template be adapted for serious topics?
Yes, the whimsical framing helps open up conversations but can be easily toned down if needed—just focus on the column purposes and adjust your facilitation style.
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