In project management, a retrospective is a way to look back on a finished project and figure out what could be done better and what lessons can be learned for future projects. It is also called a post-mortem analysis, post-project review, or project evaluation.
Retrospectives are usually done at the end of a project or at regular times during the project. During a retrospective, the project’s goals, methods, results, and problems are looked at. Participants in the project, such as stakeholders and customers, can be on the team and give their feedback and ideas at the retrospective.
The main goals of retrospection are:
- Identify places where the project team could have done better or where the project could have been more successful. This can help the team figure out what went wrong and not make the same mistakes on future projects.
- Recognize successes: Retrospectives are also a chance to recognise and celebrate the team’s successes and accomplishments, which can help boost morale and motivation.
- Come up with ideas for future projects: The team can come up with ideas and insights that can be used in future projects by looking back on the project and finding ways to make it better.
- Help people talk to each other and work together: When people share their experiences, ideas, and feedback at retrospectives, it can make it easier for them to talk to each other and work together.
There are many ways to do a retrospective, such as through facilitated discussions, surveys, questionnaires, or more formal presentations. The results of the retrospective should be written down and shared with the project team, stakeholders, and customers so that the lessons learned can be used in future projects.
In summary, retrospectives are a useful tool in project management for evaluating and thinking about finished projects. The goal is to find ways to improve and learn lessons for future projects. Retrospectives can help people talk to each other more openly, come up with new ideas, and celebrate their successes.
Usage
It is used in Project Planning, Quality Management, Project Close, and Agile Project Management
