Hot Air Balloon Retrospective Template
Reflect as a team with the picture of a hot air balloon: what lifts you up, what weighs you down and what weather lies ahead. A light format that still leads to clear actions.
Free to start · Swiss-made · GDPR compliant
How to use the Hot Air Balloon Retrospective template
The Collaboard template shows a hot air balloon in the center, surrounded by four areas with sticky notes already in place: orange for hot air, light blue for sandbags, yellow for sunny skies and grey for storm clouds. Participants simply write on the notes, so the session can start right away.
Introduce the picture
Explain the four areas briefly. Two look back on the last period, two look ahead.
Fill in hot air and sandbags
Everyone writes on the notes what helped the team rise and what slowed it down.
Look at the sky ahead
Add sunny skies and storm clouds: the opportunities and risks you see coming.
Discuss and cluster
Go through the areas together and group similar notes.
Choose what to act on
Vote on the sandbags and storm clouds and pick the most important ones.
Agree on actions
Decide what to drop, what to prepare for and who takes care of it.
What is a Hot Air Balloon Retrospective?
The Hot Air Balloon Retrospective uses the picture of a balloon trip. Hot air lifts the team up, sandbags hold it down, and the sky ahead shows sunny skies and storm clouds. Two of the four areas look ahead, which makes it a good format before a new phase.
The four areas of the template
- Hot Air: What is pushing us along? Things that help the team rise. Example: a clear sprint goal everyone agrees on.
- Sandbags: What is slowing us down? Obstacles that hold the team back. Example: too many unplanned requests during the sprint.
- Sunny Skies: What positive things are ahead? Opportunities the team can use. Example: a new team member joining next month.
- Storm Clouds: What problems are coming up? Risks the team should prepare for. Example: holidays during the release week.
If your team has a clear destination in mind, the Sailboat Retrospective adds an island as a shared goal.
When to use this template
- Before a new phase Look back and ahead at the same time when a new sprint, quarter or release starts.
- Variety for regular retros A playful change when the usual format has worn out.
- New teams The picture makes it easy for everyone to share.
- Teams under pressure Name what weighs the team down without pointing at people.
Tips for a good session
- Start with the hot air Beginning with what helps sets a positive tone for the session.
- Keep sandbags and storm clouds apart Sandbags slow you down now, storm clouds are coming. Each needs a different kind of action.
- Don't forget sunny skies Opportunities are easy to overlook. Ask explicitly what could help the team next.
- Add notes when needed The board has eight notes per area. Copy more if the team needs them.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Hot Air Balloon Retrospective template free?
Yes, the Hot Air Balloon Retrospective template is free to use with a Collaboard account. The free plan includes up to 3 boards and five people per session.
What is a Hot Air Balloon Retrospective?
A Hot Air Balloon Retrospective is a visual retrospective format in which a hot air balloon represents the team. Hot air and sandbags show what helps and what holds the team back, sunny skies and storm clouds what lies ahead.
How is the Hot Air Balloon Retrospective different from the Sailboat Retrospective?
Both formats use a travel metaphor. The Hot Air Balloon Retrospective puts more weight on the risks and opportunities ahead, the Sailboat Retrospective on a shared goal.
When should I use the Hot Air Balloon Retrospective?
The Hot Air Balloon Retrospective fits after a sprint, at a project milestone, or whenever a team wants a change from its usual retrospective format.
Can I change the areas of the Hot Air Balloon Retrospective?
Yes, all elements of the Hot Air Balloon Retrospective template can be edited, so you can rename areas or add new ones.
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