Template
Remote sprint retrospective template
A sprint retrospective for a team on video: everyone writes on a shared board in silence first, votes on what matters, and the call is spent on the top two topics.
The agenda, with a time for each part
- Check in on the board3 min
- Add one emoji or word for how this sprint felt.
- Silent writing8 min
- Add notes under went well, did not go well, and puzzles.
- Group and vote6 min
- Group similar notes; three votes each on what to discuss.
- The top two topics18 min
- What is behind this, and what would change it?
- Changes with owners7 min
- Which one or two changes will we try next sprint, and who owns each?
- How was this retro3 min
- Thumbs up, sideways or down — and why?
How the notes read afterwards
A made-up example, so you can see the shape. In a real call each line carries the words that were said and who said them.
Felt. Mostly “tired”.
Top topic. Releases slipped twice because reviews waited a day across time zones.
Change. Each person reviews within four working hours; a second reviewer is named for each change (Ana tracks it).
Retro rating. 4 up, 1 sideways.
Running it well
- Write in silence first. On video, the first person to speak sets the agenda for everyone else; silent writing gives everyone an equal start.
- Use anonymous notes if the team is new or tense. Remote teams often have fewer chances to build the trust that makes honest notes easy.
- Keep cameras on during the discussion part, and invite people by name — silence on a call does not mean agreement.
Ways to change it
When to skip it. Never skip it for a whole quarter; if a sprint was uneventful, run a 15-minute version.
Questions
How do you run a retrospective remotely?
Use a shared online board, have everyone write in silence first, vote on topics, and spend the call on the most-voted ones.
What tools do remote retrospectives need?
A video call and a shared board or document where everyone can add notes and vote.
How do you get quiet people to speak in a remote retro?
Silent writing, anonymous notes and inviting people by name all help.
What happens in the room
Everybody joins from the link, with no account. The agenda sits beside the call and each item fills in with what was said about it, under the name of the person who said it.
More templates
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