The Screaming Goat Groove retrospective invites teams to loudly surface what to start, stop, and continue for better collaboration, inspired by the playful chaos of goats. This format encourages candid sharing and plenty of celebration, aiming to boost morale and generate fresh, effective team habits.

When to use this template

Use this retrospective at the end of a sprint or project—especially when your team needs a burst of fun or to shake up stale routines. It's great for building openness in teams ready to try new ways of working together.

How to facilitate

Welcome everyone with a quick explanation of the Screaming Goat Groove theme and set a playful tone to help people open up.

Briefly review the three column prompts to clarify what each represents: Brave New Bleats (start), Silenced Screams (stop), Happy Yodels (continue).

Invite all participants to add reflections or ideas privately for a few minutes in each column.

Open the board for everyone to review posts and ask questions for clarity where needed.

Have team members vote on the most important or interesting bleats in each column, focusing on actionable topics.

Discuss the top-voted points together, letting people elaborate with specific examples or goat-worthy stories.

Capture concrete action items for any agreed 'start' or 'stop' ideas and make sure to recognize and continue the 'happy yodels.'

Wrap up by sharing one final group 'goat yodel'—a fun team affirmation or shout—before closing the session.

Pro Tips

Encourage everyone to bring a playful spirit—enthusiasm leads to more honest and useful insights.

Prompt introverted team members in advance so they feel comfortable 'bleating' their thoughts.

Balance noisy energy with respectful listening to make sure every voice is heard, not just the loudest goats.

FAQ

What if some team members are hesitant to share honestly?

Set a safe, lighthearted environment—remind everyone that loud, candid feedback helps everyone improve, and make it clear that all bleats (big or small) are welcome.

How do we prevent the session from getting too silly and losing focus?

Keep a playful tone but always link discussions back to team goals and action steps. Summarize key takeaways after each section to maintain momentum.

What's the best way to turn start/stop reflections into action?

Record specific owners and due dates for each action and revisit progress at the next retro to keep the herd moving forward.

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At a glance

Duration
35–50 min
Team Size
4-12 people
Columns
3 columns
Base Format
Start, Stop, Continue

Ready to get started?

Use this template to run your next retrospective

🐐💥 Screaming Goat Groove

Let’s channel our inner screaming goat—let out the good, the bad, and the hilarious! Reflect loudly on what should start, stop, or continue as we leap toward better teamwork and results.

Template Columns

🔊 Brave New Bleats

🚫 Silenced Screams

🐐 Happy Yodels

About this template