❄️🥶 Winter Survival
Bundle up! In this wintery retro, let's huddle together, share our warm wins, nip frosty hurdles in the bud, and brainstorm ways to heat up our project process when the chill sets in.
Template Columns
🔥 Cozy Campfires
Share the warm successes and moments that kept the team spirits high during the cold sprints.
Base column: What Went Well🥶 Frozen Toes
Discuss the challenges and setbacks that made our wintery journey extra chilly.
Base column: What Went Wrong🧤 Layer Up!
Suggest ways to improve and keep the team toasty, productive, and moving forward together.
Base column: What We Want to ImproveAbout this template
Share warm successes, air out chilly challenges, and layer up with new ideas for teamwork using the Winter Survival retrospective.
When to use this template
Use this format when team energy feels low, after a tough sprint, or when you want to focus on team morale and collective resilience.
How to facilitate
Start with a quick check-in: ask everyone to share their current energy level as a weather forecast to set the scene.
Introduce the three columns and explain their wintery themes for a fun, inviting atmosphere.
Encourage team members to add notes to 'Cozy Campfires' for any successes, however small, that lifted spirits during the sprint.
Shift focus to 'Frozen Toes'; invite the team to be open about obstacles, difficulties, or demotivating moments experienced recently.
Move to 'Layer Up!'; have the group brainstorm practical improvements or support measures based on previous discussions.
Group similar items together and facilitate a short discussion for each cluster, focusing on shared experiences and actionable insights.
Help the team prioritize the most impactful improvement ideas and define clear next steps.
Close with a gratitude round or positive shout-out to reinforce team warmth going forward.
Pro Tips
Frame the session with light humor to ease any tension and make discussions about challenges less daunting.
Encourage quieter team members to contribute by inviting them directly or using anonymous input features.
Use visuals or seasonal backdrops to make the remote experience more engaging and coherent with the theme.
FAQ
What if the team struggles to move past negative 'Frozen Toes' topics?
Acknowledge those challenges openly, but pivot discussion to 'Layer Up!' for constructive problem-solving and support. Remind the team the goal is growth and warmth.
Can I adapt this template for shorter or longer sprint cycles?
Yes, scale the time and discussion depth to match your team's workflow. For longer cycles, allow extra time for sharing; for shorter cycles, focus on the most recent highlights and pain points.
How do I make sure action items from 'Layer Up!' don't get forgotten?
Assign clear owners and follow up in the next sprint. Track progress visually or with reminders so improvements stay top-of-mind.
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
Tags
Ready to get started?
Use this template to run your next retrospective