This format is ideal for teams looking to inject creativity into their retrospectives, especially after a major project milestone or when team energy needs a boost.

How to facilitate

Kick off by welcoming everyone and setting the Swift-inspired theme, encouraging participants to have fun with creative references.

Briefly introduce each column—New Eras, Bad Blood, and Evermore—explaining their meanings and inviting everyone to use examples from recent work.

Use silent brainstorming to allow team members to add their thoughts to each column; encourage sharing a mix of observations and ideas.

Facilitate a group discussion by reviewing items in each column, asking clarifying questions, and drawing links between themes.

Guide the team to prioritize a few key actions, focusing on new beginnings and addressing recurring issues.

Agree on action owners and how progress will be tracked for the selected items.

Wrap up by highlighting positive patterns and encourage the team to carry forward the energy into the next sprint.

Pro Tips

Encourage team members to use music analogies or references for added engagement—this lightens the mood and fosters creativity.

Prompt quieter participants directly, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard—even a single line can spark insight.

Consider playing short instrumental Taylor Swift tracks during brainstorming phases to boost energy without causing distraction.

FAQ

What if my team doesn't know Taylor Swift well?

The template works even if participants aren't Swifties—column titles are explained and encourage fun, creative thinking.

How do I keep discussions focused on improvement, not just pop culture references?

Steer conversations back to work-related topics by summarizing key issues and asking how suggestions relate to team goals.

How can I encourage honest discussion in the 'Bad Blood' column?

Reassure the team that all feedback is valuable, and remind everyone about psychological safety and focusing on process, not people.

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At a glance

Duration
40–55 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

🎤✨ Swiftie Retrospective

Step into the spotlight! Channel your inner Taylor Swift and reflect on our project’s greatest hits, biggest shake-ups, and the chart-toppers we want to keep on repeat. Let’s make our next sprint a Grammy-worthy performance!

Template Columns

🌟 New Eras (Start)

💔 Bad Blood (Stop)

🎶 Evermore (Continue)

About this template

When to use this template