RetroLift / Retrospective templates / Pirate Treasure Hunt

Pirate Treasure Hunt template: free online board

Ahoy! The team just came back from a voyage. Treasure is what you won, the kraken is the monster that attacked the ship, the map is what you learned and where to sail next, and the crew deserves a toast for the people who kept the ship afloat.

4 columns45–60 minutes4–12 peopleNo sign-up

Use this template free →

When to use it

End of a project or big milestone
You want a strong recognition moment for the crew

What goes in each column

💰 Treasure

What did we win or achieve on this voyage? For example: Signed our first enterprise customer

🐙 Kraken

Which monster attacked the ship and slowed us down? For example: Endless back-and-forth on the contract

🗺️ Map

What did we learn, and where should we sail next? For example: Involve legal from week one

🦜 Crew shout-outs

Who kept the ship afloat? Raise a toast! For example: Lina for the late-night demo prep

How to run it

Welcome aboard (2 minutes). “Ahoy, crew! Let’s count our loot from this voyage.”
Silent writing (10 minutes). “Treasure, kraken, map and crew — one idea per card.”
Treasure & kraken (15 minutes). “What did we win, and which tentacle of the kraken hurt the most?”
Redraw the map (10 minutes). “What did we learn, and where do we sail next?”
Toast the crew (5 minutes). “Read the crew cards out loud. Raise your mugs!”

Facilitator tips

End with the crew column so the meeting finishes on a high
Turn the biggest kraken tentacle into one action

Use this template free →

Warm up first with a free team game.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Pirate Treasure Hunt 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 Pirate Treasure Hunt 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 Pirate Treasure Hunt?

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

More retrospective templates

Sailboat Retro4 columns

The team is a sailboat heading for an island — your goal.

Start - Stop - Continue3 columns

Start, Stop, Continue asks three plain questions about how the team works: what should we begin doing, what should we drop, and what is worth keeping?

4Ls Retrospective4 columns

The 4Ls ask what people liked, learned, lacked and longed for.

Retrospective templates →