Sprint Retro 101
What is a Sprint Retrospective?
A sprint retrospective is a short ceremony at the end of each sprint where teams reflect on what went well, what could improve, and which actions to take next.
Why retros matter
- Continuous improvement is baked into the cadence, not left to chance.
- Psychological safety grows when feedback is structured and inclusive.
- Teams surface blockers early instead of carrying them sprint to sprint.
- Action items turn discussion into measurable change.
Columns we use in Agile Tools
- Wins: Capture what went well to reinforce good practices.
- Improvements: Collect pain points and opportunities to adjust.
- Actions: Turn discussion into owned, dated follow-ups.
You can customize column names to fit your team’s flow while keeping the same simple structure.
How to run retros with Agile Tools
Set up
- Create a room and share the link-no logins or installs.
- Pick columns (wins, improvements, actions) or customize to your format.
- Toggle anonymity and voting to fit your team’s comfort level.
Facilitate
- Time-box each phase: capture, group, vote, discuss.
- Use votes to prioritize the top items to discuss.
- Capture owners and due dates for action items before closing.
Tips for better retros
- Open with a quick check-in to set the tone and safety.
- Keep it short (30–60 minutes) and focused on 2–3 actions max.
- Review last retro’s actions first to close the loop.
- Rotate the facilitator role to keep sessions fresh and inclusive.
