Retrospective Ideas Examples: 15+ Real Samples You Can Copy

Quick answer

Retrospective format examples: 15 real retro designs — classics, metaphors, deep-dives — for different team moods and problems.

[dt_tip]Rotate formats to fight staleness — and every retro ends with exactly one owned action.[/dt_tip]

The 15 examples

1. Start/Stop/Continue

*(Copy-adaptable example — adjust scale, dates and names to your context.)*

2. Mad/Sad/Glad

*(Copy-adaptable example — adjust scale, dates and names to your context.)*

3. Sailboat (wind/anchors/rocks)

*(Copy-adaptable example — adjust scale, dates and names to your context.)*

4. 4Ls: Liked/Learned/Lacked/Longed

*(Copy-adaptable example — adjust scale, dates and names to your context.)*

5. Timeline retro

*(Copy-adaptable example — adjust scale, dates and names to your context.)*

6. Lean Coffee (agenda-free)

*(Copy-adaptable example — adjust scale, dates and names to your context.)*

7. KALM (Keep/Add/Less/More)

*(Copy-adaptable example — adjust scale, dates and names to your context.)*

8. Starfish (keep/stop/start/less/more)

*(Copy-adaptable example — adjust scale, dates and names to your context.)*

9. One-word + why

*(Copy-adaptable example — adjust scale, dates and names to your context.)*

10. Appreciation round

*(Copy-adaptable example — adjust scale, dates and names to your context.)*

11. 5 Whys on one issue

*(Copy-adaptable example — adjust scale, dates and names to your context.)*

12. Fishbone cause map

*(Copy-adaptable example — adjust scale, dates and names to your context.)*

13. Hopes & Fears

*(Copy-adaptable example — adjust scale, dates and names to your context.)*

14. Movie criticism (praise/fault)

*(Copy-adaptable example — adjust scale, dates and names to your context.)*

15. AAR (Army After-Action Review)

*(Copy-adaptable example — adjust scale, dates and names to your context.)*

How to use these examples

Pick the pattern closest to your project, adapt the specifics, and keep the structure — examples are starting points, not fill-in-the-blanks.

[dt_box title=”Get organized”]Doitify keeps every project document — plans, RACIs, status updates — with its project. Start free.[/dt_box]

Bottom line

Retrospective format examples: 15 real retro designs — classics, metaphors, deep-dives — for different team moods and problems. Start with the pattern that matches your context, adapt it, and keep it updated.

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