--- title: "Hiking Retro" description: "Team members categorize reflections on a recent work period using five hiking metaphors: snacks, switchbacks, weather, hiking buddies, and gear. They post observations individually, group common patterns, and choose concrete changes for the next cycle." last_updated: "2026-09-07" canonical: "https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/hiking-retro/" --- # Hiking Retro Team members categorize reflections on a recent work period using five hiking metaphors: snacks, switchbacks, weather, hiking buddies, and gear. They post observations individually, group common patterns, and choose concrete changes for the next cycle. **Time:** 45 minutes. 45 minutes matches the source template listing. **People:** 4 to 24. Individual reflection followed by whole-room cluster analysis and small-group action drafting. ## Choose this exercise **Purpose:** Identify what helped, what slowed progress, team appreciation, and adjustments needed for the next work interval. **Use it when:** At the close of a sprint, milestone, or multi-week project cycle when the team needs structured reflection across morale, process, and tools. **Skip it when:** Immediately after an acute team crisis or conflict that requires direct mediation rather than a playful metaphor. ## Materials and tools - 5 wall charts or poster sheets labeled Snacks, Switchbacks, Weather, Hiking Buddies, and Gear - Sticky notes (3 pads of 3x3 inch notes per table) - Felt-tip markers (1 per participant) - Drafting tape for hanging posters - Countdown timer ## Before participants arrive 1. Post five large sheets side-by-side along a wall or board. 2. Write the category headers clearly at the top of each sheet: Snacks (what helped us move along), Switchbacks (challenges), Weather (mood and climate), Hiking Buddies (teammate shoutouts), Gear (tools, plays, or supplies to keep or change). 3. Place sticky notes and markers within reach of each seat. ## Say this to open For the next 45 minutes, we will look back at our past sprint using a hiking trail metaphor. You will write observations under five trail headings: Snacks for what helped us move along, Switchbacks for sharp turns and obstacles, Weather for team mood, Hiking Buddies for specific peer appreciation, and Gear for tools or practices we need next time. Let us start with individual silent writing. ## How to run it ### 1. Introduce categories and write silently (8 minutes) Explain the five prompt areas. Each person writes short notes silently, one thought per sticky note. Participants may contribute to any category and can skip categories if they wish. For example, under Gear, a neutral entry is: 'Update our automated test runner script.' Under Switchbacks: 'Unclear API docs on the billing endpoint delayed delivery.' Stop writing when the timer rings. ### 2. Post notes and cluster themes (10 minutes) Invite participants to walk up and stick their notes on the five category boards. Ask two volunteers to help cluster notes with similar topics together on each sheet as they arrive. Keep moving notes until duplicate topics sit side by side. ### 3. Review patterns and read shoutouts (12 minutes) Facilitate a walk-through across the five posters. Read aloud the Hiking Buddies appreciation notes without debate. Spend the bulk of the time walking through major clusters in Switchbacks and Gear, noting where multiple people identified the same bottleneck or tool issue. ### 4. Agree on action commitments and debrief (15 minutes) Form pairs or trios to draft 1 to 3 specific actions based on the Switchbacks and Gear columns. Reassemble as a full room. Take up to 3 drafted actions that have clear owners and timelines for the next cycle. Ask the debrief questions to close. ## Debrief questions - Looking at the Switchbacks and Gear columns, what is the single biggest impediment we can resolve before next sprint? - Which Snacks or helpful practices did we uncover that we should deliberately protect? - What difference did tracking our Weather or mood make in understanding our sprint outcomes? **Finished output:** A shared board of sprint reflections across five categories and a list of 1 to 3 owned action commitments for the upcoming cycle. ## Remote Use a digital whiteboard with five designated columns: Snacks, Switchbacks, Weather, Hiking Buddies, and Gear. Participants type notes silently onto digital cards during step 1. In step 2, participants drag cards into thematic clusters. In step 3, the facilitator screenshares the board while reviewing clusters and reading shoutouts. Breakout rooms of 2 or 3 run during the first half of step 4 to frame concrete actions before returning to the main room. ## Hybrid In-person attendees write on physical sticky notes while a designated room scribe mirrors them onto the digital whiteboard, or all participants enter notes directly into the shared online board from laptops. Project the digital board in the physical room so remote and local members see identical clusters. ## Access and participation choices - Participants may submit notes anonymously or choose not to post under certain categories. - Physical wall access can be substituted by passing written notes to a designated poster, or by typing directly into a digital copy. ## If the session gets stuck **Participants post vague complaints under Switchbacks without actionable details.** Ask the room: 'What specific event or deliverable did this slow down, and what can we change in our setup next time?' **Hiking Buddies turns into a popularity contest where some contributors feel omitted.** Explicitly state that peer shoutouts are optional and encourage people to notice quiet background contributions, not just high-profile rescues. ## Terms used here - Switchback: A sharp, zigzagging path on a steep slope; used here as a metaphor for unexpected delays or difficult detours in work. ## Sources and adaptation Observed on EasyRetro as a community template created by user Liam. Retained the five core hiking categories (Snacks, Switchbacks, Weather, Hiking Buddies, Gear) and the 45-minute sprint retrospective structure from the EasyRetro template created by user Liam. Added step-by-step facilitation timing, clustering mechanics, hybrid accommodations, access choices, and an action-planning debrief. [EasyRetro](https://easyretro.io/templates/hiking-retro/) Current run sheet: https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/hiking-retro/