The Rootbeer Float Fiesta retrospective invites your team to blend winning practices with fresh ideas while clearing away obstacles—just like crafting the perfect float.

When to use this template

Use this template at the end of a sprint or project when your team wants a balanced look at new opportunities, persistent strengths, and needed improvements.

How to facilitate

Begin with a quick introduction to the Rootbeer Float Fiesta theme, encouraging a relaxed and creative mindset.

Ask everyone to reflect silently for a few minutes on the past sprint, using the ice cream, spills, and flavored-stirring columns as prompts.

Invite team members to add their thoughts in each column: new ideas for Add More Ice Cream, things to stop in Avoid Spills, and valuable practices for Keep Stirring the Flavor.

Facilitate a group discussion for each column, grouping similar ideas, clarifying suggestions, and prioritizing key points.

Guide the team to decide on 1-3 concrete actions, ensuring at least one positive change is added and one blocker is addressed.

Close by summarizing commitments, celebrating strong practices, and encouraging the team to keep the energy high into the next sprint.

Pro Tips

Use fun analogies from rootbeer floats to spark creative contributions and lower barriers to participation.

Encourage quieter team members to contribute by inviting input in round-robin order or through chat before the open discussion.

Prompt for specific, actionable suggestions, especially in the Add More Ice Cream column, to avoid vague new ideas.

Wrap up with a toast or team chant to reinforce the positive, upbeat tone of the session.

FAQ

How can we keep the conversation from getting stuck in one column?

Limit time spent on each column and proactively move the discussion along. The facilitator can encourage participants to save overflow ideas for later or the next session.

What if team members only write negative feedback?

Model positive examples and highlight the Keep Stirring the Flavor column first to set an appreciative tone, then move to challenges.

Can this format work for larger teams?

For groups larger than 10, split into breakout rooms for the reflection and ideation steps, then share highlights in the main group.

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At a glance

Duration
30–40 min
Team Size
3-10 people
Columns
3 columns
Base Format
Start, Stop, Continue

Ready to get started?

Use this template to run your next retrospective

🍦🥤 Rootbeer Float Fiesta

Sip into this sweet retro! Like a perfect rootbeer float, we’ll blend what’s working with what needs a twist. Let’s mix up our practices for a refreshing sprint ahead!

Template Columns

🍨 Add More Ice Cream (Start)

🚫 Avoid Spills (Stop)

🥄 Keep Stirring the Flavor (Continue)

About this template