✈️🛩️ Top Gun Squadron
Strap in, pilots! Review our mission’s highs and turbulence, then chart a course for smoother takeoffs and flawless dogfights ahead.
Template Columns
🟢 Clear Skies & Successful Maneuvers
Celebrate the smooth flights and victories that kept our squadron soaring.
Base column: What Went Well🔴 Turbulence & Missed Targets
Identify the rough air and misfires that stalled our progress.
Base column: What Went Wrong🟡 Pre‑flight Checks & New Tactics
Plan upgrades and training to boost our next mission’s performance.
Base column: What We Want to ImproveAbout this template
A high‑energy, aviation‑themed retrospective that celebrates wins, surfaces challenges, and plans tactical improvements for the next sprint.
When to use this template
Use when the team wants a fun, mission‑focused review that highlights both successes and obstacles, especially after a release or milestone.
How to facilitate
Set the virtual cockpit by sharing the board and reminding the squadron of the three flight zones: Clear Skies, Turbulence, and Pre‑flight Checks
Give each participant 2‑3 minutes to write brief notes on sticky notes for each zone, focusing on concrete examples from the last iteration
Collect the notes, group similar items, and read them aloud, allowing quick clarifications and applause for the Clear Skies items
Facilitate a discussion on the Turbulence notes, asking the team to identify root causes and any immediate mitigation ideas
Turn the Pre‑flight Checks into actionable tactics by voting on the top three improvements and assigning owners with clear next‑step deadlines
Pro Tips
Use aviation emojis or icons on the board to keep the theme lively and help visual learners quickly locate each column
Limit each note to one sentence and one action verb to keep the board scannable and avoid analysis paralysis
After voting, capture the agreed actions in a separate “Flight Plan” section so they are easy to track in the next sprint
FAQ
What if the team runs out of time during the Turbulence discussion?
Time‑box the discussion to 10 minutes, capture any remaining points on a ‘parking lot’ column, and revisit them in a follow‑up meeting.
How do we handle dominant voices taking over the conversation?
Use a round‑robin or ‘talking stick’ approach in the virtual room, and encourage silent brainstorming on the board before speaking.
Can this template be used for non‑technical teams?
Yes, the flight metaphor works for any group; just replace technical jargon with language relevant to the team’s domain while keeping the three zones.
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At a glance
- Duration
45–60 min
- Team Size
4-12 people
- Columns
3 columns
- Base Format
What Went Well, What Went Wrong, What We Want to Improve
Tags
Ready to get started?
Use this template to run your next retrospective