🎢 Rollercoaster Ride
Buckle up for a thrilling ride through our sprint! Let's reflect on the twists, turns, and loops of our work to keep our project on track and full of adrenaline-fueled improvements.
Template Columns
⬆️ Ascending the Tracks
Share new practices or ideas to help us gain momentum for an even smoother ride.
Base column: Start🛑 Brake Zone
Identify things that slow us down or make the ride bumpy so we know what to halt.
Base column: Stop🎠 Enjoy the Rush
Highlight what made this sprint exciting or successful, so we keep the fun going!
Base column: ContinueAbout this template
The Rollercoaster Ride retrospective helps teams revisit their sprint’s highs and lows, focusing on momentum, obstacles, and the moments that truly energized the team.
When to use this template
Use this format at the end of a dynamic or challenging sprint to energize the team and ensure improvements stay as thrilling as the ride itself.
How to facilitate
Set the scene by inviting the team to visualize the sprint as a rollercoaster and briefly describe each column’s metaphor.
Ask everyone to take a few quiet minutes to reflect and add notes to each column: Ascending the Tracks, Brake Zone, and Enjoy the Rush.
Once ideas are posted, review all columns together, clarifying or grouping similar items to spot key themes.
Lead a team discussion focusing first on obstacles in Brake Zone, then on positive momentum from Ascending the Tracks and Enjoy the Rush.
Invite the team to propose 1-2 actionable improvements, especially focusing on removing obstacles and carrying forward energizing practices.
Summarize agreed actions and assign owners, then end with a quick team pulse-check on the retrospective experience.
Pro Tips
Themes from the 'Enjoy the Rush' column are powerful for boosting morale—make sure these moments are celebrated, not just noted.
Guide quieter team members to add their voice anonymously or via chat to foster inclusion.
Encourage sharing small improvements in 'Ascending the Tracks'—momentum is built from tiny gains as well as big changes.
FAQ
What if most feedback is focused on obstacles in Brake Zone?
Acknowledge the challenges, prioritize the top issues, but gently prompt the group to also reflect on bright spots or momentum.
How do I keep the session from getting sidetracked?
Timebox each discussion section and keep visible timers. Summarize frequently and gently steer the group back to the column focus if off-topic.
Is this template suitable for new teams?
Yes. The engaging rollercoaster theme is great for breaking the ice and encouraging open reflection, even for teams who haven’t worked together long.
At a glance
- Duration
40–55 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