🚂 Thomas the Tank Engine: Full Steam Ahead!
All aboard! Let’s journey together on the tracks of teamwork. Share what fuels our progress, what obstacles slow us down, and how we can keep the engines running smoothly. Together, we’ll become a Really Useful Team!
Template Columns
🚦 New Tracks to Lay
Suggest new routines or practices for our team to start, paving the way for smoother journeys ahead.
Base column: Start🛑 Buffers to Remove
Identify which habits or obstacles we should stop so our engines don’t get stuck in the mud!
Base column: Stop🔔 Steady Whistle Blows
Highlight what’s working well that we should continue to do to keep the engines chugging happily along.
Base column: ContinueAbout this template
The Thomas the Tank Engine: Full Steam Ahead! retrospective guides your team to identify new paths, remove obstacles, and celebrate steady progress, all inspired by the metaphor of a productive train journey.
When to use this template
Use this retrospective when your team needs to reflect on current processes, uncover roadblocks, and design new routines to improve collective momentum and collaboration.
How to facilitate
Set the scene by inviting the team aboard for a journey of reflection, using the train metaphor to create a fun, open atmosphere.
Briefly explain each column and encourage everyone to brainstorm items individually for New Tracks to Lay, Buffers to Remove, and Steady Whistle Blows.
Allow team members to add their notes to the columns in silence to encourage honest input and a broad range of perspectives.
Review each column as a group, asking clarifying questions to fully understand the insights—start with Steady Whistle Blows to build positive momentum.
Cluster similar items and encourage teams to discuss themes and priorities, focusing potential improvements on actionable ideas.
Agree on a few key action items to pursue in the next iteration, assigning owners and setting clear review points.
Close by reflecting on the metaphor: what can the team do to keep the engines running smoothly before the next journey? Thank all participants for their candor.
Pro Tips
Use the playful train theme to prompt creative thinking, but keep discussions focused and outcome-oriented.
If team morale is low, spend extra time on Steady Whistle Blows to reinforce what’s working.
After action items are agreed upon, check in on them in the next retrospective to maintain accountability.
Encourage quieter team members by specifically inviting their input during brainstorming.
Relate New Tracks to Lay to recent or upcoming team changes to drive relevant ideas.
FAQ
How do we prevent the train theme from overshadowing real issues?
Frame the session playfully but always guide the conversation back to practical team needs and genuine challenges.
What if most suggestions are negative or obstacles?
Acknowledge all concerns, but balance the discussion by specifically asking what’s going well in Steady Whistle Blows to reinforce positive momentum.
How do we keep action items from slipping through the cracks?
Assign clear owners to each action, and make reviewing progress on these items a recurring agenda point in future retros.
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