🍄🎮 Super Mario Bros Retro Quest
Level up our teamwork in the Mushroom Kingdom! Power up by sharing what to start, stop, and keep doing to conquer obstacles and rescue our project’s princess. Let’s dash, jump, and grow together—one retro at a time!
Template Columns
🍄 Power-Up Blocks (Start)
Suggest actions or habits we should start to boost our project, just like Mario grabbing new power-ups.
Base column: Start🚫 Piranha Plants (Stop)
Call out the mushrooms and pitfalls—things we should stop to avoid setbacks and lost lives.
Base column: Stop⭐ Super Stars (Continue)
Highlight behaviors or practices powering our progress that should keep running just like Mario with a star!
Base column: ContinueAbout this template
The Super Mario Bros Retro Quest is a playful Start-Stop-Continue retrospective that uses classic Mario themes to help teams identify actions to adopt, drop, or keep for better project success.
When to use this template
Use this format when you want to energize your team, tackle recurring obstacles, and celebrate strengths in a lighthearted way. It’s especially effective after a challenging sprint or milestone.
How to facilitate
Introduce the Mario-themed format, explaining each column’s meaning using the Mario analogies to set a fun, relaxed tone.
Invite everyone to brainstorm individually by adding notes to each column: Power-Up Blocks for new actions, Piranha Plants for what to stop, and Super Stars for effective practices to continue.
Review notes as a group, clustering similar ideas together and encouraging open discussion without judgment.
Prioritize key items in each column by using voting or team consensus, focusing on actions with the highest impact.
Decide on concrete next steps, assigning owners for actions in the Start and Stop columns, and discussing how to reinforce Continue behaviors.
Wrap up by reflecting on the activity’s tone and checking in on team morale, celebrating any wins or positive moments shared.
Pro Tips
Use Mario-themed language creatively during facilitation to keep the mood upbeat and inclusive.
Share a short Mario-themed icebreaker or video to kick things off and engage remote participants.
Encourage honest input by reassuring the team that identifying Piranha Plants is about improvement, not blame.
Document action items with clear owners to ensure follow-through beyond the session.
FAQ
How do I keep participants engaged in the themed format?
Lean into the Mario references, use visuals or sound effects if possible, and ask light questions to connect the theme with team experiences.
What if the discussion focuses too much on negatives (Piranha Plants)?
Balance is key—prompt the group to also recognize successes and wins in the Super Stars column.
How do I ensure action items are actually completed?
Assign clear owners and set specific follow-up dates during the session. Revisit action items at the next retro to track progress.
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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