The Rat Lab Adventure retrospective uses a fun maze metaphor to help teams reflect on successes, challenges, and opportunities for improvement after each sprint.

When to use this template

This format works best at the end of a sprint or project when the team needs a lighthearted but insightful way to examine wins, setbacks, and ways to enhance collaboration.

How to facilitate

Begin by explaining the Rat Lab Adventure theme, setting a playful tone to encourage open sharing

Share the retrospective board and clarify the three columns: Found the Cheese (wins), Fell in Traps (challenges), and Build a Better Maze (improvements)

Give everyone a few minutes to add notes to each column individually, reflecting on the past sprint or project

Invite participants to group and discuss similar notes together in each column, ensuring all voices are heard

Facilitate a discussion for each column: first celebrate successes, then explore traps, and finally brainstorm actionable improvements as a team

Prioritize improvement ideas as a group and decide on specific action items to try in the next sprint

Close by summarizing key takeaways and thanking everyone for their contributions to the maze

Pro Tips

Keep the mood light to encourage honest feedback—use playful imagery or sound effects if your team enjoys it

Challenge the team to find at least one piece of 'cheese' even during tough sprints to maintain morale

Rotate the facilitator each sprint to keep the retrospective fresh and inclusive

Encourage concise notes—focus on key insights rather than lengthy explanations

FAQ

What if our sprint felt like one big trap with few wins?

It’s important to find even small 'cheeses'—minor victories or efforts worth acknowledging. Focusing on improvement helps turn challenges into actionable steps.

How do we prevent the improvement actions from getting lost after the retro?

Assign ownership to each action and review them at the start of the next retrospective. This creates accountability and continuity.

What if discussions get stuck on blame when talking about 'Fell in Traps'?

Guide the conversation to focus on processes and situations rather than individuals. Remind everyone it’s a collaborative maze, not a blame game.

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At a glance

Duration
45–60 min
Team Size
4-10 people
Columns
3 columns
Base Format
What Went Well, What Went Wrong, What We Want to Improve

Ready to get started?

Use this template to run your next retrospective

🐭 The Rat Lab Adventure

Welcome to the Rat Lab! Let’s scurry through our project maze, share the cheese we found, the traps we faced, and how to build a better labyrinth for the next sprint!

Template Columns

🧀 Found the Cheese

🚨 Fell in Traps

🔧 Build a Better Maze

About this template