Why the format matters
Every retrospective format asks different questions, and different questions surface different insights. A format focused on behavior change will produce action-oriented outcomes. A format centered on emotions will reveal how the team is really feeling beneath the surface.
Rotating formats prevents the retro from becoming a routine everyone tunes out. When the structure changes, the team has to think differently, and that is where the best improvements come from.
Classic retrospective
The most widely used format and the best starting point for any team. Four clear columns cover everything from celebrating wins to committing to change.
Went well
Celebrate wins and reinforce positive behaviors. Knowing what works helps the team repeat success intentionally.
Could improve
Identify friction points and pain areas without blame. Focus on the process, not the people.
Ideas
Brainstorm concrete suggestions for change. Separating ideas from problems encourages creative solutions.
Actions
Turn insights into commitments. Each action should have an owner and a deadline to ensure follow-through.
Best for: New teams, general-purpose retrospectives, and any sprint where you want a reliable, well-rounded discussion.
Start-Stop-Continue
A behavior-focused format where every note maps to a concrete change. Teams that want action over analysis will love this one.
Start doing
New practices, habits, or experiments the team wants to introduce. These are opportunities the team has not yet tried.
Stop doing
Behaviors, meetings, or processes that are wasting time or causing harm. Stopping something is just as valuable as starting something new.
Continue doing
Practices that are working well and should be maintained. Acknowledging what to keep reinforces good habits.
Best for: Action-oriented teams that want every piece of feedback tied directly to a behavior change.
4Ls retrospective
A reflective format that balances emotion with aspiration. The four columns encourage the team to celebrate, learn, identify gaps, and dream.
Liked
What the team enjoyed during the sprint. Celebrating positive moments builds morale and team cohesion.
Learned
New skills, insights, or discoveries the team made. Sharing knowledge multiplies its value across the group.
Lacked
Resources, information, or support that were missing. Identifying gaps helps the team ask for what they need.
Longed for
Wishes and aspirations for the future. This forward-looking column sparks motivation and sets goals.
Best for: Teams that want a human-centered retro focused on morale, growth, and forward-looking aspirations.
Sailboat retrospective
A metaphor-driven format that turns the retro into a creative exercise. The team imagines themselves on a sailboat and discusses what drives them forward and what holds them back.
Wind
What drives us forward
Forces that propel the team toward its goals. These are strengths, tailwinds, and positive momentum the team should leverage.
Anchor
What holds us back
Obstacles, blockers, and drag that slow the team down. Identifying anchors is the first step to removing them.
Rocks
Risks ahead
Potential dangers lurking beneath the surface. Surfacing risks early lets the team navigate around them before they cause damage.
Island
Our destination
The goals and vision the team is sailing toward. Keeping the destination visible aligns effort and keeps everyone motivated.
Best for: Creative teams, teams experiencing retro fatigue, and anyone who wants a fresh perspective on familiar problems.
Mad-Sad-Glad
An emotion-first format that prioritizes how the team feels. By naming emotions explicitly, this format builds psychological safety and surfaces issues that task-focused formats often miss.
Mad
Frustrations and things that made team members angry. Giving people a safe outlet for frustration prevents resentment from building up.
Sad
Disappointments and things that did not go as hoped. Acknowledging sadness validates emotions and helps the team process setbacks.
Glad
Positive moments and things that made the team happy. Ending on a positive note balances the emotional weight of the other columns.
Best for: Teams that need an emotional check-in, are going through a tough period, or want to strengthen psychological safety.
Choosing the right format
Match the format to your team's current needs. There is no single best format — the best one is the one that fits where your team is right now.
New teams
Classic
Simple four-column structure is easy to learn and covers all the basics without overwhelming new participants.
Action-focused teams
Start-Stop-Continue
Every note maps directly to a behavior change, making it easy to turn feedback into concrete next steps.
Reflective teams
4Ls
Encourages emotional reflection and knowledge sharing, building deeper connections within the team.
Creative teams
Sailboat
The visual metaphor sparks creative thinking and makes the retro feel less like a meeting and more like a workshop.
Emotional check-in
Mad-Sad-Glad
Focuses on feelings first, creating psychological safety and surfacing issues that task-focused formats might miss.
Frequently asked questions
Rotate formats every 3 to 5 sprints or when the team feels the retro is getting stale. Using the same format too long leads to repetitive feedback. A new format can surface fresh insights.
Start with the Classic format (Went Well / Could Improve / Ideas / Actions). It is the simplest to understand and provides a clear structure. Once the team is comfortable, experiment with other formats.
Yes. Many teams customize formats by combining elements from different templates or creating their own columns. Scrum Poker supports multiple templates and lets you adapt the structure to your team's needs.
Rotate formats regularly, follow up on previous action items, invite occasional guest facilitators, and try activities like timeline retros or team health checks to keep discussions fresh and engaging.
All formats work remotely with the right tools. The Classic and Start-Stop-Continue formats are easiest to facilitate online because they have clear, simple columns. Tools like Scrum Poker handle anonymous note collection and voting digitally.
Continue reading
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