Mad, Sad, GladSprint retrospective template
Name frustration, disappointment, and wins — safely and in parallel.
Columns in this template
Express emotions about the sprint through three lenses: frustration, disappointment, and joy.
When to use Mad, Sad, Glad
Mad, Sad, Glad centers emotions without forcing everyone into a single mood. Use it after high-pressure sprints, incidents, or team changes when people need permission to vent and also to celebrate what still went well.
Facilitator tips
- Remind the room that cards can stay anonymous; that often unlocks honest Mad and Sad notes.
- Balance the discussion: don’t skip Glad even if Mad is loud — end on what to protect.
- Group similar feelings before voting so themes (“scope churn”, “on-call load”) surface clearly.
Run this template now
Open the session builder with this format pre-selected. Teams can unlock every template and custom columns in ScrumJam; public sessions can still start from any template you open from these pages.
Related templates
Hopes & Concerns
Surface what the team is excited about and what they are worried about — ideal for project kick-offs or new teams.
Rose, Thorn, Bud
Identify what went well (rose), what was challenging (thorn), and what potential opportunities exist (bud).
What? So What? Now What?
A structured reflection cycle: observe what happened, interpret its impact, then decide on next steps.