🎮 Take the Controller!
Game on! In this retro, we’re the players at the controls, leveling up our processes. Share what power-ups to pick, bugs to squash, and strategies to repeat for an unbeatable project run!
Template Columns
🆕 Press Start
Suggest new actions or practices we should initiate to improve our team’s gameplay.
Base column: Start⛔️ Remove the Glitch
Identify habits or blockers that are sabotaging our progress and need to be stopped.
Base column: Stop🔄 Save & Replay
Call out routines and actions that are giving us high scores, and that we should keep doing!
Base column: ContinueAbout this template
The Take the Controller retrospective uses a gaming theme to help teams identify new actions, remove blockers, and reinforce successful practices for process improvement.
When to use this template
Use this format when you want to energize your team, encourage creative thinking, and focus on actionable improvements—especially after fast-paced sprints or milestone releases.
How to facilitate
Kick off with an overview of the game-inspired theme and explain how each column maps to gameplay concepts.
Set the stage by asking everyone to reflect for a minute on recent sprints, focusing on wins, pain points, and new opportunities.
Invite team members to add their thoughts to the 🆕 Press Start column for new actions or experiments they want to try.
Have everyone identify and post blockers, frustrations, or inefficient practices to ⛔️ Remove the Glitch.
Ask the team to recognize routines and behaviors leading to success by adding to 🔄 Save & Replay.
Group similar items, then discuss and prioritize key topics as a team—aim to define concrete next steps and assign owners if possible.
End the session by celebrating recent improvements and energizing the team for the next 'level' of work.
Pro Tips
Set a fun, playful tone to encourage all personalities to contribute, not just the most vocal.
Use gaming metaphors throughout the session to keep engagement high and make complex topics accessible.
Encourage balancing proposals—don’t just hunt for issues; make sure to highlight what’s working, too.
Timebox discussions on each column to maintain momentum and avoid getting stuck on one area.
FAQ
How do I help the team come up with concrete 'Press Start' actions instead of vague ideas?
Prompt the team to phrase every action as something specific and testable, with an owner and timeline for review.
What if the conversation in 'Remove the Glitch' turns negative or personal?
Guide the group to focus on processes or habits, not individuals—remind everyone of the team’s shared goal to level up together.
Can this retro format work with a quiet or reluctant group?
Yes—using a playful, low-pressure theme and offering the option to submit ideas anonymously often encourages quieter voices to participate.
At a glance
- Duration
40–55 min
- Team Size
4-10 people
- Columns
3 columns
- Base Format
Start, Stop, Continue
Tags
Ready to get started?
Use this template to run your next retrospective