š“āļø Summer Vacation Getaway
Pack your bagsāitās time for a retro vacation! Letās explore the sunny moments, avoid sunburns, and plan more adventures to make our teamwork even better!
Template Columns
š Beachy Beginnings
Share new ideas and healthy habits we should start to make our journey as refreshing as a summer swim!
Base column: Startš¶ļø Sunblock Stoppers
Identify the roadblocks and unhelpful habits to leave in the shadeāno more burns on our project path!
Base column: Stopš¦ Chill Keepers
Highlight whatās been cool and effective, so we can keep those breezy vibes going all season long.
Base column: ContinueAbout this template
The Summer Vacation Getaway retrospective invites teams to reflect on their journey by exploring fresh ideas, calling out blockers, and celebrating effective practices in a lighthearted, vacation-themed format.
When to use this template
Use this format when you want to energize team reflection with a playful atmosphere, especially after achieving major milestones, seasonal changes, or when team morale needs a sunny boost.
How to facilitate
Set the scene by welcoming the team on a 'virtual vacation' and explaining the three columns: Beachy Beginnings, Sunblock Stoppers, and Chill Keepers.
Encourage everyone to individually add notes to each columnāfocus on new ideas for Beachy Beginnings, obstacles for Sunblock Stoppers, and successes for Chill Keepers.
Allow the team to review the board together, grouping similar items and clarifying any points as needed.
Facilitate a group discussion, inviting team members to elaborate on specific notes and share stories that highlight the themes.
Guide the team to prioritize a few key action items or experiments for the next sprintāespecially from the 'new ideas' and 'obstacles' columns.
Summarize the main insights and action points, ensuring everyone is clear on next steps before wrapping up with a positive, vacation-themed close.
Pro Tips
Amplify the theme with background images or a playlist of relaxing sounds to create a more engaging atmosphere.
Use short icebreakers, such as sharing favorite summer activities, to set a relaxed tone before diving into reflection.
Encourage quieter team members with direct prompts or anonymous note options to get a full range of input.
Remind the team that 'Sunblock Stoppers' arenāt about blameātheyāre opportunities for collective improvement.
FAQ
What if my team finds the theme too informal?
Emphasize that the format is designed to make feedback sharing easier through playfulness, but you can always scale back the theme if needed.
How do we ensure actionable outcomes from a themed retrospective?
Always close by identifying specific actions or changes to try, not just observationsāeven when the tone is lighthearted.
What if conversation gets off track with the playful theme?
Gently steer discussion back to the columns, using timeboxes or light reminders to keep the session productive and focused.
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At a glance
- Duration
35ā50 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