Sprint retrospective meeting template
Reflect on your last sprint and identify actionable improvements as a team
Use template
About the sprint retrospective meeting template
Every sprint is a chance to get better if you make time to review work together. The sprint retrospective meeting template gives agile teams a simple structure to discuss what went well, what to improve, and what to try next. Use it to gather honest input, spot patterns across the sprint, and turn insights into a short list of concrete actions. The layout organizes meeting details up top, discussion prompts in the middle, and clearly assigned follow‑ups at the end — so everyone leaves knowing what will be different next time.
Included in the sprint retrospective meeting template
This sprint retrospective meeting template includes built-in capabilities such as:
Sticky notes, shapes, and emojis so everyone can share feedback in their own style
Structured sections for meeting details, discussion topics, and action items
Inline @mentions to call out attendees, assign work, or reference Aha! records
Comments and reactions to capture clarifications as the meeting unfolds
Easy export and sharing for visibility and follow-up
How to use the sprint retrospective meeting template
Begin with the overview. Add the date, name the meeting leader, and @mention attendees. Set the purpose clearly (e.g., "Reduce carryover" or "Improve review quality") so the conversation stays focused. Pull in relevant Aha! records to ground the discussion in work that actually shipped or slipped.
Move through the discussion prompts. Invite folks to add sticky notes about what went well, what to improve, and experiments to try. Keep it lightweight — quick notes beat perfect prose. Use inline comments for clarifications or to group related ideas as themes emerge.
Capture decisions, too. Convert the most important items into action-oriented next steps with an owner and due date. Keep the list short (three to five items is realistic). Close things out by reviewing owners and timing together, then copy the action items to your roadmap or backlog so the work does not disappear between meetings. If you want broader input, use the sprint retrospective whiteboard template before or after the meeting to gather asynchronous feedback.
Best practices
Leave the team with clear actions and a sense that improvement is always possible.
Look back before moving forward: Start by reviewing the last sprint's action items. What was completed, what slipped, and why? This keeps the conversation accountable and prevents recurring issues from getting a pass.
Invite input early: Give everyone two minutes to jot notes before the group discussion. You will hear from more people and get sharper thinking than if you jump straight into debate.
Focus on causes, not just symptoms: When something went well or poorly, ask "What enabled that?" or "What blocked it?" You are looking for process or tooling changes that can consistently improve future sprints.
Keep it visible: Choose a handful of high‑impact actions and assign owners and dates. Link them to relevant records so progress is visible in your roadmap or backlog. You can always do more next sprint — finish these first.
FAQs about the sprint retrospective meeting template
Why run retrospectives as a live meeting?
Live sprint retrospectives help teams build a shared understanding and allow for follow-up questions or clarifications in the moment. You can read the room, spot themes as they emerge, and ensure everyone leaves with a sense of what comes next.
How do I keep retrospectives from becoming routine?
Change up your prompts, rotate who leads the session, or experiment with different formats (such as silent brainstorming or small group breakouts). Templates offer structure, but you can adapt them to what your team needs in the moment.
Can I use this alongside the sprint retrospective whiteboard?
Yes, many teams do. Try the whiteboard for asynchronous brainstorming or when you want more detailed input before the meeting. Use the meeting template to bring everyone together, sort through ideas, and agree on actions.
Is this template free to use?
Yes. To use this sprint retrospective meeting template, sign up for a free 30-day trial of Aha! Whiteboards. (You can also try this template in Aha! Roadmaps if you need a complete product management solution.) Easily customize the template to suit your needs, then share it with as many people as you want (for free) to streamline collaboration.
