The Monster Check-in template is a playful way to talk about the things a team rarely says out loud. Friendly monsters are what helped, the monsters under the bed are hidden worries and risks, cobwebs are what slows the team down, and monster tamers are the help people need.
Four columns
- Friendly monsters: What helped us this sprint
- Under the bed: Hidden worries and risks nobody has raised yet
- Cobwebs: What slows us down
- Monster tamers: Help we need from each other or from outside the team
The theme keeps the mood light, while the columns still lead to the same outcome as any good retrospective: a short list of actions with owners.
How to facilitate
- Open with a one word check-in about the sprint so everyone speaks early
- Give people five minutes of silent writing before anyone reads cards aloud
- Keep the costumes optional: the theme is a warm-up, not a requirement
- Vote on the cards that matter most before discussing them
- Finish with no more than three actions, each with one owner
- Allow anonymous cards so worries can surface safely
When to use this template
This template works well for:
- Teams that sense unspoken risks or tension
- Projects heading into a deadline
- A Halloween themed team health check
