The Taylor Swift Eras Retrospective uses pop-culture flair to help teams celebrate successes, explore challenges, and resolve frustrations by framing project experiences as memorable album moments.

When to use this template

Use this retrospective when your team needs an engaging, morale-boosting reflection tool—especially after an intense sprint or major milestone, or to inject energy into regular retros.

How to facilitate

Welcome the team with the Taylor Swift theme, explaining the playful album-inspired structure to set a relaxed tone.

Review the three columns: all too well moments (celebrate wins), teardrops on my guitar (discuss disappointments), and bad blood beats (address frustrations or blockers).

Give everyone time to add notes to any or all columns, encouraging honesty and creativity.

Invite each team member to share their notes, spotlighting positive highlights, voicing disappointments, and openly discussing frustrations.

Facilitate group discussion after each column to explore patterns, deeper insights, and shared experiences.

Collaboratively generate action items or improvements, especially for points raised in the sad and mad columns.

Wrap up by summarizing key takeaways and ending on an upbeat note—invite the team to pick one ‘track’ (action) they’re excited to remix next sprint.

Pro Tips

Bring themed music or fun Tay-Tay references to kick off and keep energy high.

Encourage light storytelling—let team members give context to their notes for deeper connection.

Remind your team to share both big and small moments—it’s not just about chart-toppers!

If time is tight, use a timer for each column’s discussion to keep things moving.

FAQ

What if some team members aren’t Taylor Swift fans?

The template works even if you’re not a Swiftie! The music theme is a fun hook; focus on the emotions and categories behind each column, and invite everyone to participate at their comfort level.

How do we prevent the discussion from getting stuck on negatives?

Balance is key. After each 'sad' or 'mad' share, move discussion toward solutions or insights, and make sure to celebrate successes before diving into challenges.

What should I do if the same issues keep showing up under 'Bad Blood Beats'?

Acknowledge recurring blockers and use the group’s creativity to brainstorm fresh approaches or escalate persistent problems where needed.

Can this retrospective run with large teams?

For groups larger than ten, use breakout rooms or split into smaller sub-teams to ensure everyone’s voice is heard.

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At a glance

Duration
40–60 min
Team Size
4-10 people
Columns
3 columns
Base Format
Glad, Sad, Mad

Ready to get started?

Use this template to run your next retrospective

🎤✨ Taylor Swift Eras Retrospective

Step into the world of Taylor Swift! Let’s reflect on our project like chart-topping albums: celebrate hits, learn from heartbreaks, and shake off the setbacks to craft our next big success!

Template Columns

🕶️ All Too Well Moments

💔 Teardrops on My Guitar

🧣 Bad Blood Beats

About this template