The Under Siege retrospective uses a fortress defense metaphor to help teams strategize for improvement by introducing new actions, dropping ineffective habits, and building on strengths.

When to use this template

Run this retro after high-pressure sprints, project pivots, or when the team needs to regroup and boost resilience against ongoing challenges.

How to facilitate

Welcome everyone, introduce the Under Siege theme, and explain the goal of reinforcing team defenses against challenges.

Briefly outline the three columns: Raise the Defenses for new actions, Quench the Flames for actions to stop, and Fortify the Walls for what to keep building on.

Give delegates 5–10 minutes of silent reflection to add notes to each column based on recent team experiences.

Invite participants to present their notes, grouping similar ideas together and seeking clarification where needed.

Facilitate a group discussion to prioritize which new strategies to implement, which habits to halt, and how to further strengthen what works.

Agree on concrete action items for the next sprint, assigning clear owners for each.

End the session by reflecting on what made the team resilient in past challenges and reinforcing team confidence for what’s ahead.

Pro Tips

Encourage honest discussion about what weakens teamwork—normalizing vulnerability leads to stronger team defenses.

Ask team members to share real-life examples tied to the fortress metaphor to make the discussion more engaging and memorable.

Periodically revisit previous retros to see if you’ve truly fortified your walls or if cracks remain.

Use the metaphor as a fun icebreaker—ask everyone which medieval defense they’d be and why before diving in.

FAQ

What if team members struggle with the fortress metaphor?

Offer concrete examples for each column first, or give the option to contribute using literal language rather than sticking strictly to the metaphor.

How can we ensure action items are followed up?

Assign clear owners and check on progress in the next retro—make following up on actions part of your team’s regular routine.

What if the team tends to only focus on weaknesses?

Prompt everyone to balance the discussion by celebrating strengths and recent team wins in the Fortify the Walls column.

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At a glance

Duration
45–60 min
Team Size
4-10 people
Columns
3 columns
Base Format
Start, Stop, Continue

Ready to get started?

Use this template to run your next retrospective

🛡️⚔️ Under Siege

Defend our project fortress! In this siege-themed retro, identify new strategies, drop ineffective tactics, and reinforce what holds strong so we can withstand any challenge together. Ready your defenses and let’s outsmart the siege!

Template Columns

🏰 Raise the Defenses

🔥 Quench the Flames

⚒️ Fortify the Walls

About this template