Retrospectives: Techniques
Explore various retrospective techniques to enhance Agile process refinement in large teams. Learn how to create a safe environment for open feedback using the metaplan method and modified open space technology. Understand the moderator's role and how to prioritize issues and solutions for continuous improvement during development cycles.
Open discussion format
Retrospectives are one of the most important steps in agile development because they help to shape the process. Therefore, we need to obtain open and honest comments from all team members in order to know what kind of refinements to the process are necessary. Although this is the main purpose of the retrospective, it might be a good idea to offer a forum for team members to provide these comments also during development time so that no important issues are forgotten before the retrospective. The wiki web or personal interviews by the communication team might serve well for this purpose.
We can lead retrospectives by using an open discussion format. This format will be adequate if there is already a safe environment, or if the reflection focuses mainly on the status of the project and not on shaping the process, although the former undoubtedly influences the latter.
Note: A safe environment stands for a climate in which participants are not scared to articulate their issues and will communicate their concerns in an open and honest manner. Their fear often results from social constraints in the group.
Characteristics of a retrospective moderator
To address the fears of team members, the moderator should have these qualifications:
- Listening: The moderator has to be comfortable with silence. Some people need time for creative thinking. A moderator can destroy this by breaking the silence.
- Discretion: The participants should share their