🌞 Summer Fun Splashdown
Dive into summer vibes as we reflect on our project! Share what sizzled, what should cool off, and what should keep shining as we ride the agile wave to improvement.
Template Columns
🏄♂️ Start New Adventures
Suggest fresh ideas and experiments we should try this season.
Base column: Start🧊 Stop the Heatwaves
Point out practices or habits that are burning us out and need to chill.
Base column: Stop🍦 Keep the Cool Treats
Highlight successes and positive routines to continue savoring in our workflow.
Base column: ContinueAbout this template
Splash into a lighthearted retrospective inspired by summer to discover new ideas, stop burnout risks, and reinforce what’s working well in your team.
When to use this template
Use this template at the start of summer, before a major break, or anytime your team needs a refreshing, creative way to review and improve ways of working.
How to facilitate
Set the scene by inviting everyone to embrace the summer theme and explain the purpose behind each column.
Give each team member time to add thoughts and examples to each column: fresh ideas to try, behaviors or practices to stop, and successes to repeat.
Review each column, encouraging team members to share stories or context behind their cards.
Facilitate group discussion to identify overlapping themes, celebrate wins, and dig into burnout risks or process pain points in a constructive way.
Collaboratively decide on 1–2 new adventures to try, and 1–2 problem areas to stop, circulating responsibility for follow-up.
Capture which cool treats (good habits or successes) will be maintained, and acknowledge contributors to these wins.
Close with a quick round of summer-themed appreciations or shoutouts to reinforce team positivity.
Pro Tips
Kick off with a quick summer icebreaker—ask about favorite summer treats or vacations to lighten the mood.
Use visuals, GIFs, or themed music (if your tool supports it) to boost engagement and help everyone loosen up.
Encourage short, action-oriented entries to keep discussion moving and actionable.
Rotate facilitation or note-taking to boost participation, especially in remote teams.
FAQ
What if the team struggles to suggest experiments in the Start New Adventures column?
Prompt with examples or reflect on past challenges as inspiration. Consider framing new adventures as small tests rather than big changes.
How do we constructively address burnout signals from Stop the Heatwaves?
Encourage open conversation about the impact of these issues. Help the team reframe problems into actionable changes rather than complaints.
What if participants repeat the same positives in the Keep the Cool Treats column?
Acknowledge patterns, but challenge the team to identify overlooked wins or routines. Look for subtle improvements, not just big successes.
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At a glance
- Duration
35–50 min
- Team Size
3-10 people
- Columns
3 columns
- Base Format
Start, Stop, Continue
Tags
Ready to get started?
Use this template to run your next retrospective