Retrospective Checklist
Five key principles that will help you run more effective retrospectives today.
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About this template
What is this workshop?
If your retrospectives are producing action items that nobody follows up on, or discussions that go in circles, this checklist is the fix. It distills five facilitation principles that consistently separate effective retros from wasted hours — covering everything from psychological safety to how you close the session.
What's included
- 5 facilitation principles
- Pre-session preparation checklist
- Mid-session facilitation reminders
- Closing protocol guide
This is for you if…
- Facilitators who want to sharpen their retros without learning a new format
- Anyone whose retros feel 'fine' but don't produce real change
- Team leads who regularly co-facilitate with someone else
Download
How to access this template
- 1
Enter your email above — we'll send you the template link right away.
- 2
Open the link and go to File → Make a copy.
- 3
Choose a destination folder in your Google Drive and click 'OK'.
- 4
Your copy is ready — rename it and start editing.
Any free Google account works. You can also export to Word via File → Download → Microsoft Word (.docx).
File → Make a copy
Open the template link and use the Google Docs menu to save a copy to your own Google Drive.
Getting started
How to run this workshop
Make a copy of the Google Doc — go to File → Make a copy.
Read through all five principles before your next retrospective.
Print or share the checklist with your co-facilitator if you have one.
Check off each item during your session prep and again during facilitation.
After the retro, note which principles you nailed and which need more practice.
Tips for first-time facilitators
- 1
Read it the evening before, not five minutes before. A checklist you skim doesn't stick.
- 2
Print it out if you can — paper is easier to glance at during a session than a phone screen.
- 3
After the retro, score yourself honestly on each principle. That's how you improve over time.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
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