The right template changes everything
From classic Start/Stop/Continue to creative Mountain Climb — find the format that fits how your team thinks. Every template is free.
Mountain Climb
A forward-looking retrospective format that helps goal-oriented teams reflect on progress, identify blockers, and plan the next sprint like climbing a mountain.
Start/Stop/Continue
A classic three-column retro format that helps teams identify new practices to adopt, unhelpful habits to drop, and winning behaviors to reinforce.
Mad/Sad/Glad
An emotion-based retro format that gives team members a safe space to express frustrations, concerns, and wins — building psychological safety and honest communication.
4Ls
A structured four-column retro format — Liked, Learned, Lacked, Longed For — that balances positive reinforcement with honest improvement areas.
Sailboat
A metaphorical retro format where the team is a sailboat — Anchors hold you back, Wind pushes you forward, and Rocks are risks to navigate around.
WWW & WNB
A focused two-column retro format — What Went Well and Needs Better — that balances celebration with honest improvement in the shortest possible time.
Stoplight
An intuitive traffic-light retro format — Red for blockers, Yellow for caution, Green for smooth sailing — that makes team health instantly visible at a glance.
DAKI
A four-column continuous improvement format — Drop, Add, Keep, Improve — that combines Start/Stop/Continue simplicity with actionable improvement granularity.
Choose the right template
Not sure where to start? Here's a quick guide to matching the format to your team's needs.
| Template | Best for | Columns | Time | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Climb | Scrum teams, Engineering squads | 5 | 20–30 min | Engineering, Scrum |
| Start/Stop/Continue | New teams running their first retro, Remote teams | 3 | 15–25 min | Agile, Scrum |
| Mad/Sad/Glad | Teams building psychological safety, Remote teams | 3 | 20–30 min | Product, Design |
| 4Ls | Product teams, Continuous improvement teams | 4 | 25–35 min | Product, Continuous Improvement |
| Sailboat | Engineering teams with technical debt, Creative teams | 3 | 20–30 min | Engineering, Agile |
| WWW & WNB | Quick weekly check-ins, New retro teams | 2 | 10–15 min | Scrum, Sprint Review |
| Stoplight | Leadership teams, Remote teams | 3 | 10–20 min | Leadership, Remote Teams |
| DAKI | Mature Agile teams, Continuous improvement | 4 | 20–30 min | Continuous Improvement, Agile |
Frequently asked questions
What is a retrospective template?
A retrospective template is a structured format that guides team reflection after a sprint or project milestone. Each template has specific columns that frame the discussion — from simple two-column formats to detailed multi-column structures.
How do I choose the right retro template?
Consider your team's experience level, available time, and current challenges. New teams should start with Start/Stop/Continue or WWW & WNB. Teams dealing with emotions benefit from Mad/Sad/Glad. Goal-oriented teams love Mountain Climb.
Are LetRetro templates free?
Yes — all retrospective templates are free on LetRetro. You get AI summaries, anonymous voting, real-time collaboration, and automatic action item tracking on the Free plan.
Can I customize a template?
Yes — you can add, remove, or rename columns in any template. LetRetro supports custom templates and blank boards so you can design the perfect format for your team.
Can I run retrospectives asynchronously?
Yes — all LetRetro templates support async mode. Team members add cards in their own time, vote asynchronously, and the AI generates a summary for the facilitator.
Do you integrate with GitHub, Jira, and Linear?
Yes — LetRetro connects directly with GitHub, Jira, and Linear. Action items from any template can be converted into issues or tickets with one click.
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