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Mad Sad Glad template: free online board

Mad Sad Glad starts from how people felt rather than what happened. It gets frustration and good news into the open early, so it suits a team that has had a hard stretch and needs to say so.

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When to use it

• After a stressful release or a difficult period
• When people seem unhappy but the facts look fine
• A team that trusts each other enough to be candid

What goes in each column

Mad

What frustrated you or got in your way?

Sad

What disappointed you or could have gone better?

Glad

What made you happy or proud?

How to run it

1. Set the scene. Remind everyone of the goal and agree that this is about the work, not about blame.
2. Write in silence. Everyone adds cards on their own, so quieter people are heard.
3. Group and vote. Merge similar cards, then vote on what matters most.
4. Discuss. Start with the most-voted cards and work down.
5. Agree on actions. Finish with a small number of actions, each with an owner and a date.

Watch out for

A wall of feelings with no follow-up does harm. Save time to turn the biggest theme into one concrete action.

Use this template free →

Warm up first with a free team game.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Mad Sad Glad template free?

Yes. You can run it on RetroLift for free, with no account and no ads. Your team joins from one link or QR code.

How long does a Mad Sad Glad retrospective take?

Plan on 45 to 60 minutes for a team of up to about ten people. Smaller teams can finish sooner.

Can a remote team use Mad Sad Glad?

Yes. Everyone writes cards from their own laptop or phone, votes, and agrees on action items on the same live board.

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