Facilitation
Hopes and Fears retrospective template
Free Hopes and Fears template for kick-offs and retros. Collect expectations and concerns anonymously, no sign-up.
Opens a new board with these columns, right in your browser.
What is the Hopes and Fears retrospective?
Hopes and Fears is a two-column exercise where people write what they hope will happen and what they fear might happen. It is usually run at the start of a project, quarter or team formation. Bringing fears into the open early, anonymously, gives the team a chance to plan around them.
The columns
- Hopes
- Fears
When to use it
Use it at kick-offs, before a reorg or a big launch, when onboarding a new team member or client, or when expectations seem to differ.
Facilitator tip: photograph or export the board and put a reminder in the calendar for the project's end. Comparing the original hopes and fears with what happened is one of the most honest retros a team can have, and it shows which fears were worth planning for.
How to run it in Peel in 5 steps
- Create a Hopes & Fears board and share the link before the meeting starts.
- Give five minutes to write; anonymity helps people name real fears.
- Reveal and group into themes.
- Vote on the fears to address first and discuss them.
- Assign owners for mitigations and revisit the board at the end of the project.
Frequently asked questions
Should we revisit Hopes and Fears later?
Yes. Comparing the board with reality at the end is a powerful retrospective in itself.
Can clients join?
Yes, anyone with the link can join without an account.