Difference between revisions of "Common ailments & cures"
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| − | A collection of common problems which occur with retrospectives and suggestions how to resolve them. | + | A collection of common problems which occur with retrospectives and suggestions how to resolve them. Generated by running a [[Retrospective Surgery]]. |
If you have an ailment that is not covered please add it at the bottom and hopefully someone will have an answer for you. | If you have an ailment that is not covered please add it at the bottom and hopefully someone will have an answer for you. | ||
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*Review the actions from the previous retrospectives at the beginning of each retrospective. | *Review the actions from the previous retrospectives at the beginning of each retrospective. | ||
*Capture/Document actions & follow up by Scrum Master | *Capture/Document actions & follow up by Scrum Master | ||
| − | *Maintain backlog | + | *Maintain backlog and have it visible for everybody in the team (e.g. on the Task Board) |
*Focus on last sprint only | *Focus on last sprint only | ||
*Make someone responsible and accountable for each action. | *Make someone responsible and accountable for each action. | ||
*Put the actions somewhere visible in the team space for example to create team building spirit | *Put the actions somewhere visible in the team space for example to create team building spirit | ||
| + | *Recognize and deal with [https://www.benlinders.com/2018/retrospective-smells-recurring-actions/ recurring actions] | ||
*Reduce actions to a manageable number | *Reduce actions to a manageable number | ||
| + | *More suggestions in [http://www.infoq.com/news/2014/02/retrospective-actions-done Having Actions Done from Retrospectives] | ||
---- | ---- | ||
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*Apply velocity to actions, track progress and only take on what velocity dictates | *Apply velocity to actions, track progress and only take on what velocity dictates | ||
*Try [[Plan of Action]] Retrospective Plan | *Try [[Plan of Action]] Retrospective Plan | ||
| − | * | + | *Focus on the [https://www.benlinders.com/2014/retrospective-exercise-vital-few-actions/ vital few actions], only choose one action |
---- | ---- | ||
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'''Cures:''' | '''Cures:''' | ||
| − | *Use root cause analysis | + | *Use [https://www.benlinders.com/2013/getting-to-the-root-causes-of-problems-in-a-retrospective/ root cause analysis] |
*Ensure actions are suggestions from the team and prioritised by them. | *Ensure actions are suggestions from the team and prioritised by them. | ||
*Suggests Biased chair - see cures for that symptom | *Suggests Biased chair - see cures for that symptom | ||
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*Coach chair on “Agile” principles | *Coach chair on “Agile” principles | ||
*Let team choose an un-biased chair | *Let team choose an un-biased chair | ||
| + | *Recognize and deal with [https://www.benlinders.com/2018/retrospective-smells-blaming/ blaming] | ||
---- | ---- | ||
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*Remind participants to think of good and bad points | *Remind participants to think of good and bad points | ||
*Reminder before the meeting | *Reminder before the meeting | ||
| + | *Use Retrospective Exercises from [https://www.benlinders.com/exercises/ Retrospective Exercises Toolbox] or [http://www.plans-for-retrospectives.com/ Retr-O-Mat] | ||
---- | ---- | ||
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*Suggest box/amnesty | *Suggest box/amnesty | ||
*Try different games which are more suited to retiring types | *Try different games which are more suited to retiring types | ||
| + | *Start the retrospective with a [https://www.benlinders.com/2016/warm-up-exercises-for-agile-retrospectives/ warm-up exercise] to create an atmosphere where team members can be open and honest about what has happened | ||
---- | ---- | ||
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*Retrospective “lurking” | *Retrospective “lurking” | ||
*Cross team collaboration needed | *Cross team collaboration needed | ||
| + | *Do a [http://www.benlinders.com/2013/improving-collaboration-in-agile-projects-with-the-retrospective-of-retrospectives/ Retrospective of Retrospectives] | ||
| + | |||
---- | ---- | ||
| Line 80: | Line 87: | ||
'''Cures:''' | '''Cures:''' | ||
| − | *Refer to The Prime Directive | + | *Refer to [[The Prime Directive]] |
---- | ---- | ||
| Line 95: | Line 102: | ||
'''Cures:''' | '''Cures:''' | ||
| − | *Have a Devil's Advocate | + | *Have a [https://www.benlinders.com/2011/devils-or-angels-advocate-which-role-do-you-prefer/ Devil's Advocate or Angel's Advocate] |
| − | *Try De Bono's [[ | + | *Try De Bono's [[6 Thinking Hats Retrospective]] |
| + | *Recognize and deal with [https://www.benlinders.com/2018/retrospective-smell-passiveness/ passiveness] | ||
---- | ---- | ||
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'''Cures:''' | '''Cures:''' | ||
| − | * Try the [[Appreciative Retrospective]] Plan | + | * Try the [[Appreciative Retrospective]] Plan or a [https://www.benlinders.com/2013/using-solution-focused-in-a-strengths-based-retrospective/ Strenghts based Retrospective] |
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
Latest revision as of 06:08, 9 March 2022
A collection of common problems which occur with retrospectives and suggestions how to resolve them. Generated by running a Retrospective Surgery.
If you have an ailment that is not covered please add it at the bottom and hopefully someone will have an answer for you.
Ailment: Actions not captured / No obvious record or review of previous retrospective findings
Cures:
- Review the actions from the previous retrospectives at the beginning of each retrospective.
- Capture/Document actions & follow up by Scrum Master
- Maintain backlog and have it visible for everybody in the team (e.g. on the Task Board)
- Focus on last sprint only
- Make someone responsible and accountable for each action.
- Put the actions somewhere visible in the team space for example to create team building spirit
- Recognize and deal with recurring actions
- Reduce actions to a manageable number
- More suggestions in Having Actions Done from Retrospectives
Ailment: Too many actions
Cures:
- Apply velocity to actions, track progress and only take on what velocity dictates
- Try Plan of Action Retrospective Plan
- Focus on the vital few actions, only choose one action
Ailment: Unjustified actions
Cures:
- Use root cause analysis
- Ensure actions are suggestions from the team and prioritised by them.
- Suggests Biased chair - see cures for that symptom
Ailment: Not having the right people in the retrospective
Cures:
- Invite people early
- Pick a time that suits everyone
- Have separate retrospectives for tech team & wider team
Ailment: Biased chair / Agenda hijacking
Cures:
- Feedback to chair and escalate if necessary
- Rotate chair
- Coach chair on “Agile” principles
- Let team choose an un-biased chair
- Recognize and deal with blaming
Ailment: Lack of preparation / Forgetting what’s happened
Cures:
- Compensate in the meeting by having a good time line (Ed. help everyone remember what happened?)
- Prepare - personal/team log
- Remind participants to think of good and bad points
- Reminder before the meeting
- Use Retrospective Exercises from Retrospective Exercises Toolbox or Retr-O-Mat
Ailment: People not speaking up/shy
Cures:
- Chair/facilitator needs to create the right environment
- Suggest box/amnesty
- Try different games which are more suited to retiring types
- Start the retrospective with a warm-up exercise to create an atmosphere where team members can be open and honest about what has happened
Ailment: Retrospective actions and tips not shared with other teams
Cures:
- Rotating facilitators
- Shared retrospective blog
- Retrospective “lurking”
- Cross team collaboration needed
- Do a Retrospective of Retrospectives
Ailment: People taking things personally
Cures:
- Refer to The Prime Directive
Ailment: Voting system may result in valid issues not being addressed
Cures:
- Non-addressed issues get rolled over (& keep votes?)
- Themed retrospectives
- Encourage team to get on well so they empathise more with issues affecting minority
- Vary the retro format (e.g. no voting)
Ailment: Suffering from 'Group Think'
Cures:
- Have a Devil's Advocate or Angel's Advocate
- Try De Bono's 6 Thinking Hats Retrospective
- Recognize and deal with passiveness
Ailment: Lack of engagement
Cures:
- Try new plans or tips such as the ones on this wiki!
Ailment: Too much focus on negatives
Cures:
- Try the Appreciative Retrospective Plan or a Strenghts based Retrospective