The Spooky Autumn retrospective helps teams reflect on their workflows by conjuring new ideas, banishing old blockers, and celebrating practices worth keeping, all with a fun seasonal twist.

When to use this template

Use this template during autumn or any time the team wants a playful, themed retrospective that encourages creativity and honest reflection.

How to facilitate

Set the seasonal scene by welcoming everyone to the Spooky Autumn retro and explaining the goals of uncovering treats (new rituals), tricks (problems), and ongoing magic (strengths).

Briefly review each column's purpose so everyone knows what kind of input goes where: new ideas to summon, habits to banish, and magic to keep.

Give team members a few minutes to silently add their thoughts and stories to each column using anonymous cards if possible.

Invite participants to read out or discuss the cards, grouping similar items and clarifying where needed.

Host open discussion to prioritize which new spirits to try and which creepy crawlies to focus on removing—capture ownership and next steps for each.

Celebrate the team’s autumn magic by acknowledging strengths and encouraging everyone to carry these practices forward.

Close the retrospective by inviting everyone to share one word that describes how they feel about the coming 'season' for your team.

Pro Tips

Lean into the theme to lower barriers—seasonal fun can increase honesty and creative thinking.

Encourage quieter members by offering the option to submit their thoughts privately first.

Make sure every action item has a clear owner and a check-in date to avoid lingering 'hauntings.'

FAQ

How do I help the team get into the autumn theme?

Set the tone with visuals, music, or a quick themed icebreaker. Invite everyone to share a fall tradition or memory before you begin.

What if the same blockers keep coming up?

Acknowledge repeat hauntings as real problems. Prioritize addressing one or two with immediate experiments or concrete actions, and set a follow-up reminder.

How can I keep the retro focused with a playful theme?

Balance fun with purpose by anchoring every discussion point to real outcomes—remind the team you’re conjuring real improvements, not just ghost stories.

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At a glance

Duration
45–60 min
Team Size
4-10 people
Columns
3 columns
Base Format
Start, Stop, Continue

Ready to get started?

Use this template to run your next retrospective

🎃🍂 Spooky Autumn

Welcome to our Spooky Autumn retro! As leaves fall and mysterious winds blow, let's uncover the treats (and tricks) in our team's journey. Share new rituals, banish haunting habits, and keep the magic alive for a frightfully good project!

Template Columns

👻 Summon New Spirits

🕸️ Banish the Creepy Crawlies

🍁 Keep the Autumn Magic

About this template