The Skeleton Crew Retrospective is a themed format that encourages teams to celebrate wins, air frustrations, and discuss challenges in a fun, Halloween-inspired atmosphere.

When to use this template

Use this retrospective at the end of a sprint or release cycle, especially when your team needs a fresh and engaging energy boost or when morale feels low.

How to facilitate

Open with the Skeleton Crew theme, inviting everyone to get into the spirit and review the column meanings together.

Allow teammates individual time to add notes under each column, prompting them to reflect on recent events and experiences.

Invite the group to review and discuss the notes in the 'Rattling Good Times' column, celebrating successes and highlighting what energizes the team.

Move to 'Haunted Bones' and 'Bone to Pick', discussing each openly as a team—focus on understanding root causes and seeing if patterns emerge.

Facilitate a collaborative conversation to prioritize issues from the 'Haunted Bones' and 'Bone to Pick' columns.

Guide the group to define practical next steps or experiments to address top concerns and reinforce what went well.

Wrap up by reflecting on the mood of the session, thanking everyone for their openness, and encouraging continued candor for future sprints.

Pro Tips

Encourage participants to use light-hearted, themed language to build camaraderie and keep the mood positive, even when discussing tough topics.

Make time for everyone to speak, especially quieter voices, by explicitly inviting input from all members.

Consider rotating the facilitator for added variety and fresh perspectives, especially during themed retros.

Use anonymous note submission if team members seem hesitant to share negative feedback.

Remind the team to balance the focus on positive and negative points to avoid the retro feeling heavy.

FAQ

What if no one contributes to the 'Bone to Pick' column?

Remind the team that sharing frustrations is normal and helps improve team health. Anonymous contributions can make this easier.

How can I make the themed approach resonate with all team members?

Invite team members to suggest small theme-related touches or set the context by emphasizing fun and psychological safety, not forced participation.

How should we handle sensitive issues that come up under 'Haunted Bones'?

Pause and acknowledge sensitivities as they arise. Offer to follow up privately or escalate respectfully if needed.

What if we run out of time when addressing action items?

Prioritize the most impactful topics and schedule follow-up discussions as needed rather than rushing through all points.

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At a glance

Duration
40–55 min
Team Size
3-9 people
Columns
3 columns
Base Format
Glad, Sad, Mad

Ready to get started?

Use this template to run your next retrospective

💀 Skeleton Crew Retrospective

Welcome to the Skeleton Crew Retro! Let’s dust off the bones of our sprint, unearth hidden treasures, and exorcise what haunts us. Together, we’ll ensure our project stands strong—no bones about it!

Template Columns

🦴 Rattling Good Times

👻 Haunted Bones

💢 Bone to Pick

About this template