Mad, Sad, Glad

Start with feelings. End with solutions. This template gets to what really matters.

What is it?

Mad/Sad/Glad is an emotion-first retrospective format widely used in agile and scrum teams. Instead of jumping straight to process improvements, it gives space to acknowledge how the team felt during the sprint. This psychological safety foundation often leads to more honest and actionable discussions, making it especially valuable after stressful sprints or difficult team dynamics.

Mad

Things that frustrated or angered you during the sprint.

Sad

Things that disappointed you or that you're concerned about.

Glad

Things that made you happy or that you're proud of.

When to use it

▸After a stressful, difficult, or chaotic sprint
▸When team morale is low
▸When you suspect there are unspoken tensions
▸Quarterly team health check-ins

Facilitation tips

1Create psychological safety first: remind the team this is a safe space with no blame.
2Start with 'Glad' to set a positive baseline before diving into harder topics.
3When discussing 'Mad' items, focus on situations and processes — never individuals.
4Follow up with a clear action plan so feelings translate into improvements.

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