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As an introduction to this text on 3 varied Scrum retrospective methods, this quote by Matthias, one, fits perfectly Scrum Master of Eucon GmbH from Münster:
For me as a Scrum Master and Psychologist, the variety in retrospectives is important. For this reason you will find 3 unusual retrospective methods here that will undoubtedly give you some variety with a bit of storytelling and team willingness: The Flitzebogen Retro, Sherlock Holmes Retro (for fans of the genre) and the Rocket Retro!
Scrum Retrospective Method 1: Retro Bow
The retrospective method consists of a total of 3 questions, which you can of course also modify or shorten. In principle, it works according to the generally known scheme. Let's start with the positive:
- What are our arrows we use to break down resistance? So how have we as a team managed to get past difficulties particularly well recently?
For example, we noticed that our dailies were extremely important in the last sprint. Information was exchanged there that was central to the success of the sprint. So we should definitely keep Dailys like this! - The archer's concentration and balanced psyche are central to the direct hit. Which efforts, worries and difficulties disturb our inner balance as a team?
For example, we may have noticed that a higher-level manager twice subtracted a developer from the actual task of the sprint. Although appropriate communication should always run through the Scrum Master. As an action item, it is a good idea to start a conversation with the manager. - The wind is difficult to predict. It could keep us from hitting a bull's eye. What (air) resistance do we have to anticipate and take into account?
It is becoming apparent that a team member will soon be on maternity leave. Could we organize a replacement now if necessary? Maybe we can get the trainees into the team already now. If we can do that, it's against of the trainees also a nice signal of appreciation.
Of course you can play the metaphor even further here and ask, for example, which tendon the team accelerates. Or you call the whole thing “Robin Hood Retro” and take the beloved one with you into the set of questions that gives the team strength (who knows how the team will respond).
If you like this retro format and questions, you can open them directly in our team development tool Echometer:
And there we are with a second unusual Scrum retrospective method.
Scrum Retrospective Method 2: Sherlock Holmes Retro
For movie fans and especially creative hours, you can also do the Sherlock Holmes Retro. Possibly. some also know the Harry Potter Retro. It depends on the taste.
In any case, the retrospective method helps to bring up topics in an entertaining way and invites you to think outside the box (speaking of lateral thinking: Here is an extra workshop).
- What stones did the evil Mr. Moriarty put in our way?
- What support do we have from our time-honored friends Dr. Watson and Inspector Lestrade got - so how did we as a team encounter these stones and what did we do independently?
- What support would we get from Dr. Watson and Inspector Lestrade - from each other as team members - wish you?
- As Sherlock Holmes, we naturally anticipate other underhanded plans from evil Mr. Moriarty. What difficulties could that be in the next few weeks? And how are we going to meet them?
If you like this retro format and questions, you can open them directly in our team development tool Echometer:
Depending on the team, you can of course leave out a question. The last question, for example, focuses on the future and uses techniques of Pre mortem method - that could be time consuming in a classic retro. So we come to the third Scrum retrospective method, which is somewhat less complex.
Scrum Retrospective Method 3: Rocket Retro
Similar to the racing car metaphor, this is about acceleration and velocity. This time we want to reach the sky and reach for the stars!
The questions can be asked in the past or in the future, for example for planning a project. This time I have put it in relation to the future:
- What is the fuel that will shoot us into space as a team?
- What is gravity or what are challenges that could constantly pull us down?
- The air seems harmless, but the winds in the heights are tricky. What - perhaps difficult to see - resistances could arise on our way to heaven? How can we meet them?
As always, the retro should end with positive thoughts. In this respect, feel free to change the order of the questions or to add to the questions.
If you like this retro format and questions, you can open them directly in our team development tool Echometer:
Bonus – Scrum Retrospective Method 4: Echometer
Another way to design retros is of course to use Retro Tools! In particular, I would like to mention Echometer, which I was involved in developing myself.
It combines insights from psychology with agile best practices to get the best out of team health checks & fun retrospectives - to help to grow your team.
We also have a catalog of different retrospective methods – and it can be used both remote and offline.
The basic version is free. If you want to try it out – right here or start for free.
If you would like to explore all the possible retrospective ideas in our tool, you can simply do so following the button:
More Scrum retrospective methods
There is many Scrum retrospective methods. But I hope that these four are new to you. And by the way, you can find three more retrospective Scrum ideas in this blog article – Hearsay, the team acronym and the conflict compass!
If you are searching for fun retrospective ideas, check out our post on 54 Kickass Retrospective Ideas for Agile Teams (including the Mario Kart Retro & the Team Morale Health Check).
At last, one of the most effective ways to sustainably develop the agile mindset of teams is implementing an agile health check. Our free team health check kit is there to help you implement it and ask the right questions. Just takes a minute to go through it 🙂
