A Retrospective is a regularly occurring workshop in which participants explore their work and results in order to improve both the process and product.
It provides a structured opportunity for teams to reflect on recent performance, identify successes and challenges, and commit to actionable improvements for future iterations.
Key Characteristics
- Time-Boxed – Conducted at the end of each iteration or phase
- Team-Focused – Involves all contributors in an open, honest dialogue
- Improvement-Oriented – Aims to enhance process efficiency and product quality
- Actionable Outcomes – Results in specific, trackable improvement items
Example Scenarios
- Reviewing the past sprint to identify blockers and successes
- Brainstorming ways to improve collaboration and communication
- Updating working agreements based on team feedback
Role in Agile and Team Development
- Fosters Transparency – Encourages honest reflection on team performance
- Promotes Learning – Captures lessons to refine practices and habits
- Drives Incremental Improvement – Enables ongoing process refinement
- Strengthens Team Cohesion – Builds trust through shared accountability
See also: Lessons Learned Register, Iteration, Continuous Improvement, Agile, Sprint Review.