👾🕰️ Stranger Things: The Upside Down Retro
Dive into the eerie Upside Down as we uncover hidden wins, banish the Demogorgons of our process, and power up our sprint for the next adventure.
Template Columns
🚀 Open the Gate (Start)
Identify new experiments or practices to launch our project into the unknown.
Base column: Start🛑 Close the Portal (Stop)
Highlight habits or blockers that open the portal to chaos and should be sealed.
Base column: Stop🔁 Keep the Lights On (Continue)
Maintain the strengths that keep our team illuminated in the dark.
Base column: ContinueAbout this template
A themed retro that uncovers hidden wins, stops process demons, and reinforces strengths using an Upside Down adventure metaphor.
When to use this template
Use when the team needs a fresh perspective after a challenging sprint or wants to surface hidden issues in a fun, engaging way.
How to facilitate
Set the scene by briefly explaining the Upside Down theme and the purpose of each column
Ask participants to silently write down ideas for Open the Gate, Close the Portal, and Keep the Lights On on virtual sticky notes
Collect the notes in the corresponding columns and give everyone a few minutes to read all entries
Facilitate a round‑robin discussion, inviting owners to elaborate on the most impactful items in each column
Vote on the top two items in each column using emoji reactions or dot voting
Turn the highest‑voted Stop items into concrete action items and assign owners with clear deadlines
Pro Tips
Use a dark background and neon‑style icons to reinforce the Upside Down atmosphere and boost engagement
Encourage participants to frame blockers as "Demogorgons" to make tough topics feel less personal
Limit each participant to three items per column to keep the board focused and manageable
FAQ
What if the team is unfamiliar with the Stranger Things references?
Explain the metaphor briefly at the start and focus on the meaning of each column rather than the pop‑culture details.
How do we handle dominant voices during the discussion?
Use a timed turn‑taking approach or assign a facilitator to gently prompt quieter members to share their thoughts.
Can this retro be used for non‑technical teams?
Absolutely; the theme works for any group looking to surface wins, blockers, and strengths in a creative format.
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At a glance
- Duration
45–60 min
- Team Size
4-12 people
- Columns
3 columns
- Base Format
Start, Stop, Continue
Tags
Ready to get started?
Use this template to run your next retrospective