Business
Retrospective Format Generator
The generator draws from 14 retrospective structures — Start/Stop/Continue, Glad/Sad/Mad, 4Ls, Sailboat, Starfish, DAKI, Lean Coffee, Hot Air Balloon, Plus/Delta, and more — and returns a shuffled selection of however many you request (up to 10). Each entry names the format and its core prompts in one line. Scrum masters and team leads use this to keep retrospectives fresh and match the reflection frame to where the team is. Pick a format that fits the moment — emotional frames after a hard sprint, action-focused ones when the team needs concrete change — run the discussion, and always close with one or two owned action items. Without a concrete commitment, the retro is just a conversation.
How to use
- Choose your options above
- Click Generate
- Copy your result
Detailed instructions
- Choose how many retro formats you want.
- Generate a set and pick one for the moment.
- Run the discussion using its prompts.
- End with one or two owned action items.
Use Cases
- •Refreshing a stale retrospective
- •Drawing out quieter team members
- •Reflecting after a hard sprint
- •Turning discussion into action
- •Facilitating a team review
Tips
- →Match the format to the team's mood.
- →Rotate formats to avoid autopilot.
- →Always end with owned action items.
- →Timebox the discussion to keep it moving.
FAQ
What does each retro format entry tell me?
The name of the format and its core prompts in one line — for example, '4Ls: Liked, Learned, Lacked, Longed for.' It gives you the frame for the discussion; you then run it with your team using those prompts as the agenda.
How do I pick the right format for a given sprint?
Match the format to where the team is. Emotional formats like Glad/Sad/Mad work well after a stressful sprint. Action-focused formats like Start/Stop/Continue suit moments when the team knows what went wrong and needs to commit to change.
Why rotate formats rather than using the same one each time?
The same structure every sprint breeds autopilot — people fill in the boxes without real reflection. Rotating the format reframes the questions and surfaces insights that a routine template would miss.
What makes a retrospective actually produce change?
Ending with one or two concrete, owned action items. A retro that finishes without an assigned commitment is just a debrief. The format is a tool; the follow-through on actions is where the value is created.
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