Overview
Sprint retrospectives (Or Sprint Retros) are one of the most valuable ceremonies in agile — yet they're often rushed, skipped, or run without structure. A well-facilitated retro gives your team space to reflect, surface issues early, and continuously improve how you work together.
Here's a straightforward 60-minute format that keeps things focused and actionable.
The Format
The session is split into four equal 15-minute blocks:
- What went well?
Celebrate wins, acknowledge good work, and identify practices worth repeating. This sets a positive tone and reminds the team that not everything is a problem to solve. - What didn't go well?
Surface frustrations, blockers, and things that slowed the team down. Keep it blameless — focus on situations and processes, not individuals. - What can we improve?
Shift from problems to possibilities. This is where the team proposes changes, experiments, or new approaches for the next sprint. - Actions for the coming sprint
Translate insights into concrete commitments. Aim for around three focused action items with clear owners. Avoid aiming for too many actions which could mean nothing gets done.
Throughout each section, discuss patterns, group similar items, and dig into root causes. The goal isn't just to list things — it's to generate insights the team can act on.
Workshop Format
Title: Sprint [X] Retro
Duration: 60 minutes
Description:
Reflecting on Sprint [X]. Come prepared to share what went well, what could improve, and ideas for next sprint.
Retro Format:
- What went well? —
15m - What didn't go well? —
15m - What can we improve? —
15m - Actions for coming Sprint —
15m
Tips for Facilitators
Start on time. With only 60 minutes and four sections to cover, every minute counts. Let the team know the timebox for each section and gently move things along when needed.
Use a shared board. Tools like FigJam, Miro, or even a simple shared doc let everyone contribute simultaneously and make it easier to spot themes.
Rotate the facilitator. Sharing facilitation duties keeps retros fresh and gives everyone practice running meetings.
Final Thought
The best retros aren't the ones with the most sophisticated frameworks — they're the ones that happen consistently and lead to real change. Keep it simple, stay focused on actions, and trust that small improvements compound over time.
