💀 Skeleton Crew Check-In
Welcome to the boneyard! Dust off the cobwebs and rattle those bones as we unearth what’s working, mourn what’s lost, and lay to rest those haunting issues.
Template Columns
🦴 Bone-Boosters
Share the moments that kept our skeleton crew dancing and grinning this sprint.
Base column: Glad💧 Boneyard Blues
Reveal the losses or setbacks that left the team feeling a bit brittle.
Base column: Sad🔥 Rattling Rages
Expose the skeletons in our closet—the frustrations and blockers that rattled our nerves.
Base column: MadAbout this template
The Skeleton Crew Check-In retrospective uses a playful, spooky theme to help teams reflect on high points, mourn setbacks, and surface frustrations from their latest sprint.
When to use this template
Use this retrospective when the team needs a fresh, engaging way to share feedback—especially after a tough sprint, or when energy feels low and issues need 'exhuming.'
How to facilitate
Kick off with a light theme introduction, encouraging everyone to embrace the spooky vibe and share openly.
Invite team members to add their thoughts to the Bone-Boosters column, celebrating what went well and lifted team spirits.
Transition to the Boneyard Blues column, asking the team to unearth setbacks, losses, or areas where morale dipped.
Move to the Rattling Rages column, where participants can voice frustrations, blockers, or persistent issues that need attention.
Review each column together, discussing key themes and surprising insights.
Collaboratively identify a small number of action items or experiments to help the team address the most pressing issues.
Close with a quick round of appreciations or a fun team check-out to restore spirits.
Pro Tips
Use a fun playlist or visual backgrounds to reinforce the theme and help break the ice.
Prompt quieter teammates with guiding questions or positive encouragement to ensure all voices are heard.
Encourage specificity in entries so action items are clear and actionable.
Avoid getting stuck in negativity by balancing time on losses with a focus on what’s working.
Rotate facilitation roles to keep things fresh and increase engagement.
FAQ
How do I prevent this retro from becoming too negative?
Balance each column, deliberately spending time celebrating wins before moving to challenges, and always end with clear actions and appreciations.
What if the team struggles with the spooky theme?
Frame the theme as a lighthearted way to spark creativity—participation in themed elements is optional, and the focus remains on honest discussion.
How many action items should we take from this retro?
Aim for 1–3 tangible, prioritized actions that directly address the main issues raised—quality over quantity is key.
Is this template suitable for a new team?
Yes, but consider simplifying the theme if the group is unfamiliar with retros or each other to encourage participation.
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At a glance
- Duration
40–60 min
- Team Size
4-10 people
- Columns
3 columns
- Base Format
Glad, Sad, Mad
Tags
Ready to get started?
Use this template to run your next retrospective