Hot Air Balloon Retrospective
A visual retrospective using a hot air balloon metaphor. The balloon represents the team, hot air (flames) represents what energises and propels the team upward, sandbags represent what is weighing the team down, clouds represent risks or challenges ahead, and sunshine represents the team's aspirations or vision.
How to run it
- 1
Draw a hot air balloon on a large surface with labelled sections: flame/hot air (what energises us), sandbags (what weighs us down), clouds (risks and obstacles ahead), sunshine (our goal/vision).
- 2
Participants silently write sticky notes for each section (2–3 min per section).
- 3
Share and place notes on the drawing.
- 4
Cluster and discuss, starting with the sandbags (most actionable).
- 5
Vote on the top sandbags to address.
- 6
Define action items with owners and due dates.
Tips
Particularly effective for teams feeling stuck or demotivated — the upward metaphor is subtly optimistic.
Draw the balloon large enough for many sticky notes.
Variations
Add a storm cloud for external blockers outside the team's control. Use different coloured sticky notes per participant to see who raises which concerns.
Where it fits
Frequently asked questions
When should I use Hot Air Balloon Retrospective?â–¾
Use Hot Air Balloon Retrospective when you want to: Sprint retrospectives; Quarterly team reviews; Teams experiencing delivery friction.
How long does Hot Air Balloon Retrospective take?â–¾
Hot Air Balloon Retrospective typically takes 40–60 minutes.
How many participants does Hot Air Balloon Retrospective work for?â–¾
Hot Air Balloon Retrospective works best for groups of 3–20 participants.
What materials do I need for Hot Air Balloon Retrospective?â–¾
To run Hot Air Balloon Retrospective you will need: whiteboard or flip chart, sticky notes, markers.
How difficult is Hot Air Balloon Retrospective to facilitate?â–¾
Hot Air Balloon Retrospective is rated beginner — straightforward to facilitate even without prior experience.
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