The Sailboat Retrospective Template: How to Use It
Humans are visual creatures. We process images 60,000 times faster than text.
That is why the Sailboat Retrospective is so effective. It moves the team away from lists of bullet points and into a shared visual metaphor. It helps the team see the "big picture" of their journey.
The Metaphor Explained
🌬️ Wind (Sails)
What is pushing us forward? What gives us speed?
Examples:
- "Clear requirements"
- "Automated deployments"
- "Team morale"
⚓ Anchors
What is holding us back? What creates drag?
Examples:
- "Legacy code"
- "Manual testing"
- "Too many meetings"
🪨 Rocks
What risks are ahead? What could sink us?
Examples:
- "API rate limits"
- "Competitor launching a similar feature"
- "Key developer going on leave"
🏝️ Island
What is our destination? What is the goal?
Examples:
- "Release v2.0"
- "10,000 active users"
- "Zero bugs in backlog"
Why Use It?
The Sailboat is particularly good for Risk Management.
Most retrospectives focus on the past (what happened). The Sailboat asks you to look at the future (Rocks). This allows the team to be proactive rather than reactive.
Facilitation Tips
- Draw it out: If you are in person, draw a boat on the whiteboard. It makes it fun.
- Focus on the Anchors: "Cut the anchor" is a powerful metaphor. Ask the team: "If we could cut one anchor today, which one would make the boat go fastest?"
- Navigate the Rocks: For every Rock identified, ask: "How do we steer around this?"
Conclusion
If your team is feeling stuck or bored, hoist the sails. The Sailboat retrospective is a fun, engaging way to get everyone aligned on the vision and the risks.
Ready to set sail? Clear Retro has a digital Sailboat template ready for your next meeting.