A Christmas Carol Retrospective

Just as Ebenezer Scrooge embarked on a journey of self-discovery guided by spirits of past, present, and future, this template invites your team to reflect upon sprints with clarity and purpose. Enjoy this festive template to celebrate the holidays with your team!

How to use this template

Step 1: Icebreaker — Scrooge's Diary

Start the retrospective by using the "Scrooge's Diary" icebreaker activity. Each participant should imagine themselves as Scrooge and write a diary entry summarizing the last sprint in 10 words or less. This activity encourages individual reflection and sets the stage for deeper discussions.

Step 2: Reflect on the past

In this section, focus on the history of the project or team. Discuss what was learned, successes achieved, and challenges faced. Encourage participants to share personal highlights and lowlights that have shaped the team's current state.

Use the following questions as prompts:

• What were the key lessons learned from the past sprint?

• What were the major successes and achievements?

• What were the significant challenges faced?

• How did these experiences shape the team's current state?

Step 3: Evaluate the present

Shift the focus to the current status of the project or team. Take a close look at where things stand now and discuss ongoing challenges, successes, team morale, and immediate concerns or achievements. Acknowledge the hard work of the team and identify areas that require more attention or time.

Consider the following questions:

• What is the current status of the project or team?

• What are the ongoing challenges and successes?

• How is the team morale at the moment?

• What are the immediate concerns or achievements?

Step 4: Set a vision for the future

Now it's time to set a vision and direction for the future, inspired by the lessons of the past and the realities of the present. Discuss future goals, aspirations, potential challenges, and opportunities. Determine what the team hopes to achieve and what legacy they want to leave behind. Use the following questions as a guide:

• What are our future goals and aspirations?

• What potential challenges and opportunities lie ahead?

• What do we hope to achieve as a team?

• What legacy do we want to leave behind?

Step 5: Dot vote for important tickets

Use the "Scrooge's Cap Dot Vote" activity to prioritize the most important and impactful tickets on the board. Each participant should place a dot vote on the tickets they consider to be the highest priority. This activity helps the team focus on the most critical areas for improvement.

Step 6: Rate the retro

Wrap up the retrospective by rating the overall retro session using the "Scrooge Rate the Retro" activity. Participants can rate the session on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest. This feedback will help you gauge the effectiveness of the retrospective and make improvements for future sessions.