🎁 Christmas Gifts at the Swan Residence
Celebrate wins and unexpected delights
Like discovering surprise presents at Bella’s house, this section captures moments of gratitude, teamwork, and anything that sparkled this sprint.
What gift did the team “unwrap” this sprint?
Who made a quiet, heroic contribution worth appreciating?
Which decision or experiment turned out better than expected?
🌫️ It’s a possibility… :(
Risks, concerns, and unknowns
Channel Edward’s cautious instincts. Capture concerns, risks, and uncertainties that darkened the horizon; focusing on clarity, not catastrophizing.
What could go wrong if we do nothing?
Where are we guessing instead of knowing?
What early warning signs should we be watching?
✨ “This is the skin of a killer, Bella…”
Hard truths & reality checks
Step into the meadow and say the quiet part out loud. This is about naming reality (without blame) so the team can improve together.
What truth are we avoiding?
Where did we overpromise or underdeliver?
What data challenges our current assumptions?
🌧️ Under a Near-Constant Cover of Rain
Recurring issues & persistent blockers
Forks weather never really clears, and neither do some problems. Use this space to document repeat issues and ongoing friction that deserve attention.
What keeps reappearing sprint after sprint?
What could we automate, remove, or escalate?
What single change would reduce this rain the most?
🏆 The Golden Onion Award
Sparkliest moment of the sprint
Bestow the Golden Onion on the standout moment of the sprint—the win, effort, or collaboration that truly shimmered (no biology lab expertise required).
Nominate, vote, and share a short thank-you or demo so everyone can appreciate the sparkle.
How to Run This Retro
Timebox each section (5–7 minutes) and capture notes
Dot-vote top items across all sections
Define 1–3 actionable experiments with owners and due dates
Award the Golden Onion and close with clear commitments for the next sprint
Keep it playful, honest, and focused; like a night run through the woods with the Cullens… but with fewer near-death experiences and very clear action items at the finish.
