Effective problem-solving meetings follow a basic three-stage format: open, explore, close. Effective Retrospectives are no different; following the same format with the addition of five distinct stages which overlay the basic three. These five stages: Set the Stage, Gather Data, Generate Insights, Decide What to Do, and Close, create the environment to harvest the greatest Team learning.
The handwritten infographic below, drawn by Tommi Johnstone, our Director of Business Integration and Marketing and resident Picasso, details the anatomy of a Retrospective.
Looking for more information on effective Retrospectives? We recommend the following great reads:
Agile Retrospectives: Making Good Teams Great by Esther Derby and Diana Larsen
A fantastic book for those new to the world of Scrum, Agile, and Retrospectives, but also a must-have addition for any ScrumMaster or Agilist’s library.
Gamestorming: A Playbook for Innovators, Rulebreakers, and Changemakers by Dave Gray, Sunni Brown and James Macanufo
For ScrumMasters looking to inject some renewed energy into their Retrospectives, this book offers a plethora of creative ways to do just that.
Innovation Games: Creating Breakthrough Products Through Collaborative Play by Luke Hohmann
We 3Backers are big fans of Luke Hohmann and this book is exactly why we like his inspired approach to using games to enhance your Retrospectives as well as identify what your customer needs and to deliver it.
As Always, Stay Agile.