Friday the 13th Horror Sprint Retrospective

Friday the 13th Horror Sprint retrospective format

The Frights

What scared us or went terribly wrong this sprint?

This is where the team names what gave them a fright during the sprint: the bugs, blockers and surprises that made everyone scream. Remind people the spooky framing is there so they can share even the scariest issues. Ask follow-up questions until you reach the root cause of each fright.

The Survivors

What went well and helped us live to tell the tale?

Celebrate the wins, the heroes and whatever helped the team get through the sprint intact. Make room for individual and team wins alike, and name the habits that worked so they get repeated next sprint.

Lurking Monsters

What risks or problems are still hiding in the shadows?

This topic is for threats that haven't struck yet but are getting closer: risks, fragile areas and unresolved issues. Ask people to name things they suspect could become a problem, even if they aren't sure. Spotting them early lets you set a trap before the monster pounces.

Protective Spells

What actions or improvements will keep us safe next sprint?

Turn the frights and lurking monsters into concrete actions, the spells and wards that will protect the team next time. Make each action specific, give it an owner and keep it achievable within the next sprint. This is the payoff of the retro, so give it enough time.

When to use this retrospective

• Around Halloween or on an actual Friday the 13th, when you want a seasonal twist on your usual sprint review.
• When your retrospectives have become routine and the team needs a different format to get people talking.
• After a chaotic or difficult sprint, when a playful theme helps the team discuss tough issues without getting defensive.
• When you want to celebrate wins and also flush out hidden risks before they turn into real problems.

Suggested icebreaker questions

• If this sprint were a horror movie, what would its title be and who would be the first to go?
• What's the scariest bug, outage or surprise you've ever survived at work?

Want a warm-up your team plays, not just answers out loud? Browse free icebreakers →

Ideas and tips for your retrospective meeting

• Set the mood with costumes, virtual backgrounds or eerie music.
• Use the metaphor, but make sure each fright and monster maps to a real problem the team can act on.
• Timebox each topic so the fun doesn't run away with you and you still reach Protective Spells.
• Tell the team the horror framing is there to make scary or sensitive issues easier to raise without blame.
• Give everyone time to add ideas on their own before grouping and discussing, so quieter voices aren't drowned out.
• Finish by giving each Protective Spell an owner and a due date so the improvement actually happens.

Frequently asked questions