Sprint Retrospective

Sprint Retrospective
A Retrospective (or simply “Retro”) is a dedicated meeting held at the end of one or several sprints. In it, the team reflects on the work completed and the time spent together.

The Retrospective is an important element of Agile practices. It helps the team to:

• step back and evaluate their own work

• identify communication issues and workflow problems early

• find ways to solve those problems and create an action plan

• generate ideas for improving work processes

In general, a Retrospective can be reduced to discussing answers to the following questions:

• What went well in the past sprint? What helped us succeed?

• What got in the way?

• What or who could help us improve?

The primary goal of a Retrospective is to create a safe space for open communication. Each team member should feel comfortable sharing concerns and challenges. Identifying and addressing problems is expected to improve the team’s long-term effectiveness.

Stages of a Retrospective
There are many possible formats for a Retrospective. The “classic” structure consists of five stages:

1. Set the stage. The facilitator explains the purpose, sets the agenda and timing, and helps “break the ice” with team members. Icebreaker activities unrelated to work can be used here.

2. Gather data. The team reviews the sprint, highlights key events, and ensures everyone has a chance to speak.

3. Generate insights. Participants reflect on problems, either directly or through discussion. Brainstorming techniques can be used to generate improvement ideas.

4. Decide what to do. The team agrees on concrete improvements to implement in the next sprint — for example, adjusting the Product Backlog, reducing review cycles, or breaking down tasks into smaller pieces.

5. Close the Retrospective. The team summarizes conclusions and decides what actions will carry forward. The facilitator closes the meeting, and participants thank each other for their contributions.

How to run a Retrospective

• Decide how often to hold it
  Frequency depends on the team’s workflow.

  • For Scrum teams, a Retrospective is usually held after each sprint (or every few sprints, depending on sprint length).

  • For teams working closer to Kanban, with a continuous flow, it may be scheduled monthly or quarterly.

• Find a facilitator
  A facilitator manages the discussion, ensures a safe environment, and defines the meeting goals. They must remain neutral. Depending on the context, the role may be filled by:

  • the project manager;

  • a department head;

  • the Scrum Master or Agile Coach;

  • an external facilitator (e.g., from another team or hired specifically).

  The facilitator also chooses the meeting format and activities.

• Choose a format and scenario
  If using the classic five-step Retrospective, select a specific activity or format for each stage. Tools such as Retrospective planners (e.g., Aspro.Agile) can help.
  Avoid running the same format every time — variety keeps the sessions engaging and prevents them from feeling like routine meetings.

• Set the timing
  Be prepared for in-depth discussion. A Retrospective typically lasts 1–3 hours, depending on sprint length.
  Avoid scheduling it late in the day when the team is tired. Instead, pick a time when energy levels are higher. For example:

  • in the afternoon on the last day of the sprint;

  • in the morning before Sprint Planning.

• Choose a location
  A Retrospective can be held in the usual workspace, but a change of scenery often helps. Consider moving to a lounge area or holding the session offsite.
  For many Retrospective formats, a physical whiteboard or flipchart may be useful for taking notes.