Which Are Appropriate Topics For Discussion In A Sprint Retrospective?

It's shown that regular sprint retrospectives increase team responsiveness by 24% and higher quality outputs by 42%.

Deciding which are appropriate topics for discussion in a sprint retrospective is crucial to a successful sprint.

There are topics that team members need to discuss to take full advantage of the retrospective session. However, some topics can be highly detrimental to the positive atmosphere of a team meeting.

In this article, we'll discuss which are appropriate topics for discussion in a sprint retrospective. Having a good understanding of these will allow you to host useful and impactful retrospective discussions.

Which Are Appropriate Topics For Discussion In A Sprint Retrospective

What Went Well

One of the main topics to discuss is the successes and accomplishments of the sprint. Talk about completing tasks assigned during the sprint, delivering a high-quality product, or successfully implementing a new process or tool.

This discussion is an excellent time for team members to share their perspectives on what went well and why. Creating this opportunity can help the team understand and appreciate each team member's contributions and identify effective practices or approaches.

This topic can help build morale and motivation in the team and identify areas to continue building on and replicating in future sprints. It's beneficial in creating a positive culture and encouraging the team members to continue working together.

What Didn't Go Well

This topic allows the team to identify and address any issues or challenges during the sprint. It can include missed deadlines, incomplete tasks, poor quality of work, or difficulties with communication or collaboration.

Discussing the sprint goals during a retrospective is a surefire way to measure the team's performance against the sprint's objectives. The team can assess whether or not they've met the goals and how they can better approach the next sprint.

Having this discussion can help the team pinpoint and address the root causes of any issues. It can also identify specific practices or approaches that were ineffective. The team can then brainstorm solutions to help address these issues for future sprints.

Plan For Next Sprint

After going through what went well and what didn't, planning the next sprint is crucial. Action items refer to specific tasks or actions that need to be done by the team. These items are typically assigned to specific team members and include a due date for completion.

Examples of tasks that the team assigns during a sprint retrospective include the following:

• Fixing a specific bug that was causing issues during the sprint.
• Improving communication between team members.
• Implementing a new workflow or process.
• Providing additional training or resources for a team member.
• Adding a new feature to the software.

During this discussion, team members are made aware of the tasks assigned to them and any pressing dates. There also needs to be a discussion about when the next sprint retrospective should occur.

Which Are Not Appropriate Topics For Discussion In A Sprint Retrospective

Personal Attacks

Personal attacks and negative comments directed towards specific individuals aren't appropriate topics for discussion in a sprint retrospective. This can create a toxic and unproductive environment due to feelings of hurt, resentment, and mistrust among team members.

These attacks refer to any statement or behavior intended to harm, insult, or degrade an individual or specific group. Personal attacks can include making negative or derogatory remarks about someone's performance, appearance, or personal life. It can also include name-calling, bullying, or spreading rumors.

Such comments can be very hurtful and disruptive to the team and can also decrease morale and productivity. They aren't conducive to a positive and constructive retrospective where the goal is to identify areas for improvement and make plans for future sprints.

Complaints Unrelated To The Sprint

Complaints and discussions unrelated to the sprint or project are considered inappropriate for a sprint retrospective. These discussions can distract team members from the primary goal of the meeting.

Suppose team members start discussing issues unrelated to the current sprint or project. In that case, it can distract from the main focus of the retrospective and can make it difficult for the team to identify and address the most critical issues. It also can lead to a waste of time, which means the team will benefit less from the session.

Reminding team members to focus on the current sprint and the work done is essential. Any issues unrelated to the sprint should be brought up in a different meeting or with the appropriate person or team.

Discussions Of Sensitive Company Information

Discussions of sensitive company information are inappropriate during a sprint retrospective. These types of discussions could put the company at risk or violate company policies.

Sensitive or confidential information includes any information that could cause harm to the company or its employees, customers, or partners. This information includes financial performance, strategic plans, legal matters, product development, employee information, and more.

A sprint retrospective is a time to bring team members together to improve team performance and boost morale. Sharing confidential information can hinder sprint retrospectives.

Final Thoughts

Now you know which are appropriate topics for discussion in a sprint retrospective!

Sprint retrospectives are an essential part of an agile team environment. They provide a platform where team members can discuss the ins and outs of the sprint they've just completed. It's a great way to promote morale and boost motivation among team members.

Avoiding inappropriate topics such as office politics and personal attacks is crucial. It's a quick way to create resentment and mistrust in the team.

It's essential to remember sprint retrospectives are there to increase team efficiency for the success of projects. So, any topics that are detrimental to the team's performance and well-being should be avoided.