Sprint Retrospective
Overview
A Sprint Retrospective is a Scrum ceremony held at the end of a Sprint where the Scrum Team reflects on their work process, identifies what went well, what didn’t, and how to improve for the next Sprint. It focuses on continuous improvement in team collaboration, workflow, and efficiency.
Purpose of a Sprint Retrospective
- Inspect the Sprint Process – Evaluate how the team worked together.
- Identify Improvements – Discuss what went well and what needs improvement.
- Enhance Team Collaboration – Foster a culture of open feedback and trust.
- Improve Future Sprints – Implement actionable changes for continuous improvement.
Who Attends the Sprint Retrospective?
| Role |
Responsibility |
| Scrum Master |
Facilitates the discussion and ensures focus on improvement. |
| Developers |
Share experiences, provide feedback, and propose solutions. |
| Product Owner (Optional) |
Can participate to understand team challenges but should avoid dictating solutions. |
Agenda of a Sprint Retrospective
- Set the Stage – Create a safe space for open discussion.
- Gather Feedback – Reflect on what went well, what didn’t, and what can be improved.
- Discuss & Prioritize – Identify key areas for improvement.
- Define Action Items – Create specific, measurable improvements for the next Sprint.
- Close the Retrospective – Summarize insights and next steps.
| Format |
Description |
| Start, Stop, Continue |
What should we start doing? Stop doing? Continue doing? |
| Mad, Sad, Glad |
What made us frustrated, unhappy, or happy? |
| The 4 Ls (Liked, Learned, Lacked, Longed For) |
What did we like, learn, lack, and wish for? |
| Sailboat |
Uses a sailboat metaphor: winds (helpful), anchors (hindrances), rocks (risks). |
Sprint Retrospective vs. Sprint Review
| Aspect |
Sprint Retrospective |
Sprint Review |
| Focus |
Process & Team Collaboration |
Product & Deliverables |
| Participants |
Scrum Team Only |
Scrum Team + Stakeholders |
| Goal |
Improve team performance |
Inspect & adapt product development |
Best Practices for a Sprint Retrospective
- Create a Safe Space – Ensure team members feel comfortable sharing openly.
- Encourage Constructive Feedback – Focus on improvements, not blame.
- Timebox Effectively – Typically 30-60 minutes for a 2-week Sprint.
- Prioritize Action Items – Implement concrete changes, not just discussions.
- Follow Up in the Next Sprint – Review whether past improvements were effective.
Conclusion
A Sprint Retrospective is a crucial meeting for continuous team improvement in Agile. By fostering open discussions and implementing actionable changes, teams can optimize their workflow, enhance collaboration, and increase productivity Sprint after Sprint.