Retrospectives Antipatterns • Aino Vonge Corry & John Le Drew

Learn how to run effective retrospectives that foster psychological safety, objectivity, and innovation, and overcome common antipatterns that can hinder team growth and improvement.

Key takeaways
  • Retrospectives should not be about blaming or judging, but about understanding and learning from mistakes.
  • Psychological safety is essential in creating an open and honest environment for teams to share their experiences and thoughts.
  • Facilitators should create a sense of trust by being approachable, non-judgmental, and empathetic.
  • Naming and acknowledging anti-patterns can help teams recognize and solve problems more effectively.
  • Objectivity is key in facilitating retrospectives, and facilitators should avoid taking sides or getting involved in conflicts.
  • Understand and acknowledge cultural differences when facilitating retrospectives in different teams or organizations.
  • Generate action items that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
  • Dealing with difficult teams requires patience, understanding, and effective communication.
  • Respect and trust are essential in building strong relationships with team members.
  • Learning from failures is crucial for growth and improvement.
  • Facilitators should be knowledgeable about various Agile methodologies and tools to effectively facilitate retrospectives.
  • Teams should be empowered to take ownership of their problems and solutions.
  • Creating a safe discomfort can be an effective way to stimulate creativity and innovation in teams.
  • Respect and acknowledge team members’ limitations and difficulties when dealing with complex problems.
  • Innovative solutions often require stepping out of one’s comfort zone.