Identify points in your project life cycle at which performing a retrospective would be valuable.
Select a recently completed project (or subproject, phase, or iteration) on which to perform a retrospective, one whose experiences and learnings would assist you in planning and executing your next project. Use Table 15-2 to develop a plan for this retrospective. Refer to the retrospective procedure to help you complete this worksheet.
Hold the retrospective and add lessons learned from it to your organization’s lessons learned collection. (See Chapter 14.)
Table 15-2. Retrospective Planning
Planning Date:________________ | ||
|---|---|---|
Item | Considerations | Your Plan |
Sponsor | Who is the management sponsor for the retrospective? | |
Objectives | What does the sponsor want to accomplish as a result of the retrospective? | |
Beneficiaries | Who are the target beneficiaries of the retrospective? | |
Scope | Single project or multiple projects? Exactly what is being reviewed? What functional areas are included? Are specific issues of particular interest for exploration? | Project(s): Functional Areas: Issues: |
Participants | What documentation will result from the retrospective? | |
Deliverables | Who will participate in the retrospective? | Interim Documentation: Final Documentation: |
Issue Generation | Will issue generation take place prior to or during the review meeting? Using what methods? | Prior or During:Methods: |
Number of Meetings | How many meetings should be planned, based on the scope of the retrospective? | |
Agenda | List the retrospective meeting components and the time allocated to each. | Introduction:Timeline:Gather Issues:Cluster:Prioritize:Choose Key Issues:Root Cause:Recommend Improvements: |
Techniques | What methods will be used for the major retrospective activities? | Cluster: Prioritize: Choose Key Issues: Root Cause: Recommend Improvements: |
Roles | Who is the facilitator? Who is the scribe? What are their responsibilities? | Facilitator:Responsibilities: Scribe:Responsibilities: |
Management Role | What is management’s role in the context of the retrospective? | |
Metrics | What project metrics will be collected and archived? | |
Project Artifacts | What project artifacts will be collected and examined during the retrospective? | |
Communicating Plans | How and by whom will the planning details be communicated to the participants? | |
Individual Preparation | What individual preparation is necessary prior to the retrospective meeting? | |
Logistics | What items does the facilitator need to take to the retrospective meeting (pens, markers, sticky notes, tape, paper, laptop)? Is the room properly equipped (projectors, flipcharts, space)? | |
Communicating Results | How will the meeting results be communicated? Who will receive the communication? Consider objectives, scope, deliverables. | |
Action Plan Owner | Who will be responsible for follow-up on action plans and process improvements following the retrospective? | |