The Simpsons Springfield Stand-Up retrospective invites teams to celebrate wins, admit missteps, and brainstorm improvements through fun, themed reflections. Inspired by Springfield’s quirky characters, it combines classic reflection with creative problem-solving.

When to use this template

Best for teams seeking an energetic, light-hearted retro after a busy sprint, or when morale needs a playful boost without losing focus on improvement.

How to facilitate

Set the tone by welcoming everyone to Springfield and briefly explain the three themed columns and their purpose.

Invite team members to share highlights and positive moments in Moe’s Cheers, encouraging everyone to recognize team and individual achievements.

Move to D’oh! Moments and allow the team to honestly discuss missteps or challenges, validating concerns and normalizing learning from mistakes.

Transition to Professor Frink Fixes and prompt the group to propose creative, actionable improvements for the next sprint, drawing from issues raised in previous columns.

Discuss, prioritize, and assign action items based on the improvement ideas to ensure follow-through.

Wrap up by acknowledging contributions, checking in on team energy, and possibly celebrating with a virtual donut or Simpsons-themed fun, if time allows.

Pro Tips

Introduce soundbites or images from the Simpsons to keep energy high during transitions between columns.

If participation lags, ask direct but friendly questions like, What would Homer say about our last deployment?

Encourage shy teammates by referencing Springfield characters (e.g., What would Lisa suggest we improve?) to spark ideas.

During improvements, challenge the team to think like Professor Frink—innovative and a bit outside the box.

Keep time visible for each section to maintain a lively pace and avoid lingering too long on blunders.

FAQ

How do I keep the retro focused and avoid off-topic cartoon tangents?

Set clear expectations up front and politely steer conversations back to retrospective goals if needed, balancing fun with the purpose.

What if team members are unfamiliar with The Simpsons?

Briefly explain the column themes in plain terms at the start, ensuring everyone can participate regardless of their Simpsons knowledge.

How do I ensure actionable outcomes from the fun format?

Dedicate time near the end to clearly assign responsibility for improvements and check in at the next retro.

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At a glance

Duration
35–50 min
Team Size
4-10 people
Columns
3 columns
Base Format
What Went Well, What Went Wrong, What We Want to Improve

Ready to get started?

Use this template to run your next retrospective

🍩 Simpsons Springfield Stand-Up

Welcome to Springfield! Join the Simpsons family as we relive the highs, dodge the blunders, and craft new plans for team success. D’oh! Let’s make our next sprint a real donut delight.

Template Columns

🍺 Moe’s Cheers (What Went Well)

😬 D’oh! Moments (What Went Wrong)

🛠️ Professor Frink Fixes (What We Want to Improve)

About this template