A retrospective that always uses the same format ends up producing the same answers: the team knows the columns by heart and replies on autopilot. Switching formats is the easiest way to surface new topics.
This wheel gathers proven formats, from very short to deeply reflective. Each result shows facilitation notes: the columns or prompts to use, and the moment in a project when that format works best.
How to use it
- Pick the variant that fits your time box: express retro (under 30 minutes) or full retro.
- Spin the wheel at the start of the session, in front of the team: the draw doubles as an icebreaker.
- Read the notes shown with the result and set up the columns on a whiteboard or your online sticky-note tool.
- Always finish with one to three concrete actions, each with an owner and a due date.
All the options
- Start Stop Continue
- Three columns: what to start, what to stop, what to keep doing. Ten minutes is enough.
- One word
- Everyone sums up the sprint in a single word, then explains it in one sentence. Fast and a good read of the team mood.
- Weather report
- Everyone picks a forecast (sunny, cloudy, rainy, stormy) for their sprint and says why. Perfect as an opener or for remote teams.
- Plus / Delta
- Two columns: what went well, what we would change. The shortest format that is still useful.
- ROTI
- Return On Time Invested: everyone rates the meeting from 1 to 5. Closes a retro, or any meeting, in two minutes.
- One action only
- The team leaves with a single action, chosen by vote. Ideal when previous retros left too many actions unfinished.
- Round of thanks
- Everyone thanks one person for a specific piece of help during the sprint. Five minutes that make quiet work visible, before tackling the problems.
- Score out of 10
- Everyone rates the sprint from 1 to 10, then says what would have earned it one more point. Those “+1” answers turn straight into action items.
Frequently asked questions
How often should we change the retrospective format?
A new format every two or three retros is enough to keep people engaged. Keep a format longer if it produces good actions: variety should serve the team, not the other way round.
Which format is best for a first retrospective?
Start Stop Continue or Plus / Delta: few columns and obvious prompts. Metaphor-based formats (sailboat, pirate ship) work better once the team is used to speaking up.
How long should a retrospective last?
A common rule is 45 minutes per week of sprint, so 90 minutes for a two-week sprint. The express variant fits in under 30 minutes.
How do we stop a retro from turning into a blame session?
Remind everyone at the start that you are discussing facts and practices, not people. Formats centred on external obstacles (sailboat, heroes and villains) help depersonalise tension.