Agile Retrospectives

4.1 Activity: Check-In

Use this to set the stage in an iteration retrospective.

Purpose

Help people put aside other concerns and focus on the retrospective. Help people articulate what they want from the retrospective.

Time needed

Five to ten minutes, depending on the size of the group.

Description

After welcoming the participants and reviewing the goal and agenda, the retrospective leader asks one brief question. Each person answers in round-robin fashion.

Steps

1. Ask one question that each person can answer with a word or short phrase.

   Here are possible questions:

   What is one word that describes what you need for yourself from this session?

   In one or two words, what is happening for you right now?

   In a word or two, what are your hopes for the retrospective?

   What is one thing that’s on your mind?

   Note: If you use this question, also ask what each person needs to do to set the concern aside. Sometimes writing the concern down and putting it in a book or pocket—literally setting it aside—helps people set the concern aside mentally.

   Coming into this retrospective, if you were a car, what kind of car would you be?

   Note: you can use many different metaphors with this question—type of animal, hardware, flavor. But be careful not to use a metaphor that will seem frivolous or silly to your team.

   It’s OK for people to say “I pass” on any question. Even saying “I pass” will make sure their voice is heard in the room.

2. Go around the room listening to each person’s ...