⛵️ Sailing Adventure
All hands on deck! Let’s navigate our project’s voyage, steering through calm seas and stormy waters. Share what we should hoist, anchor, or keep sailing with for smoother journeys ahead.
Template Columns
🪢 Hoist the Sails (Start)
Suggest new tactics or actions we should set in motion to catch the wind and move forward.
Base column: Start⚓ Drop Anchor Here (Stop)
Identify practices or habits we should anchor and leave behind to avoid storms or shallow waters.
Base column: Stop🌊 Steady as She Goes (Continue)
Highlight the effective routines and successful maneuvers we should keep following on our voyage.
Base column: ContinueAbout this template
The Sailing Adventure retrospective uses a nautical theme to help teams reflect on what to start, stop, and continue for smoother project progress.
When to use this template
Use this format to energize the team and encourage open discussion about new ideas, improvement areas, and existing strengths after any sprint or milestone.
How to facilitate
Welcome everyone and introduce the sailing adventure theme, encouraging a spirit of exploration and teamwork
Briefly explain each column: Hoist the Sails (Start), Drop Anchor Here (Stop), and Steady as She Goes (Continue), tying each to the team’s journey
Give participants a few moments to add their thoughts to each column, using concise notes focused on actions or observations
Invite the team to review all entries, then group similar items for clarity and discussion efficiency
Facilitate a collaborative discussion on each column, prompting the team to dig into root causes and prioritize key items
Guide the team to identify 2–3 actionable commitments based on the main themes, assigning ownership where possible
Close with a quick reflection: how did this format help our understanding? Gather feedback to improve future sessions
Pro Tips
Encourage participants to share real examples and stories to bring each theme to life
Use the nautical theme to keep energy high, perhaps by calling on different crew 'roles' to participate
Mix up groupings or pairs mid-session for fresh perspectives on each category
Display a simple ship or voyage graphic alongside the board to boost engagement
FAQ
How do I help the team come up with more start or stop items?
Prompt the group with real scenarios from the last sprint and ask what could have made these smoother or less stressful. You can also ask, 'What have we never tried before that could work?' or 'What isn't serving us anymore?'.
What if discussions get stuck on negatives?
Actively steer the conversation toward solutions and balance it by revisiting successes in Steady as She Goes. Remind the team that every challenge is a chance for improvement.
Can I use this template if my team is new to retrospectives?
Yes, the clear categories and fun theme make it approachable for all experience levels. Take extra time to explain column intentions if needed.
At a glance
- Duration
40–55 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