Check-In Retrospective Retrospective
What is this activity?
The Check-In Retrospective is a simple way to start your meeting by giving every team member a chance to share their thoughts or feelings in a safe and equal way. Each person answers the same short question, one by one, without interruption. This helps everyone to “check in” with the group, express what they need, or highlight an important issue. For example, you might ask: - In one word, what do you need from this retrospective? - What was one problem you noticed last sprint? - If you could change one thing about the last sprint, what would it be? This activity helps the team get focused, build trust, and open up honest conversations right from the start.
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Template created by: EasyRetro Team - Has been used 0 times
Check-In Retrospective Template
One Word Need ✨
In a single word, what do you expect or hope to get from this retrospective?
Last Sprint Issues ⚡
What was one thing that created challenges or trouble in the last iteration?
One Change 🔄
If you could adjust or improve just one thing from the last sprint, what would it be?
How to conduct this activity
To run a Check-In Retrospective, the facilitator asks one simple question and then goes around the group in turn. Each person has the option to answer or say “pass” if they prefer not to share. The key is to listen respectfully and avoid judging or commenting on people’s answers. A simple “thank you” is enough. If someone raises a strong need (for example, saying “help” or “support”), the facilitator should acknowledge it and check if there’s something the group can address immediately. This method sets the tone for the session by showing that every voice matters. It is quick, lightweight, and works well both for in-person and remote teams. By starting this way, the team creates a safe space for deeper discussions later in the retrospective.
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