Scrum Retrospective

5 minutes 5 Questions

After the review of the product increment, the team holds a Sprint Retrospective. This is an opportunity for the Scrum Team to inspect itself and create a plan for improvements to be enacted during the next Sprint. The purpose of the Sprint Retrospective is to make clear what is working and what is…

Complete Guide and Exam Tips: Scrum Retrospective

What is a Scrum Retrospective?
A Scrum Retrospective is a meeting that takes place at the end of each sprint in a Scrum project. Its goal is to provide a platform for the Scrum team to reflect on their performance during the sprint, identify strengths and areas of improvement, and develop a plan for improvements to be implemented in the next sprint.

Why is a Scrum Retrospective Important?
A scrum retrospective is important as it promotes continuous improvement within the team. It provides an opportunity to reflect on what worked or didn't in the last sprint and discuss improvements in the next sprint. This is a key step in aligning the team towards the same goal and improving productivity.

How does a Scrum Retrospective work?
During a scrum retrospective, the team gathers to discuss the last sprint. They discuss what went well, what didn’t, and how to improve. Everyone on the team has a chance to speak and it's led by the scrum master. The outcome is an action plan for the next sprint.

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Scrum Retrospective
When preparing for exam questions on scrum retrospective, it's crucial to have a deep understanding of what it is, why it's important, and how it works. Remember, the purpose of the retrospective is not to place blame, but rather to learn and improve. Emphasize the importance of open communication and a safe space for discussions. Each member's perspective should be respected and all thoughts and ideas should be taken into account when forming the action plan for the next sprint.

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CSM - Scrum Retrospective Example Questions

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Question 1

During the retrospective, the team is focusi ng more on blaming individuals for mistakes rather than finding solutions. How should the Scrum Master handle this situation?

Remind the team of the retrospective's purpose and steer the discussion towards identifying improvements Allow the team to continue discussing individual mistakes to ensure accountability Facilitate the discussion around individual responsibilities and suggest appropriate consequences for mistakes made during the sprint End the retrospective early and reschedule it for when the team is in a more positive mindset

Correct Answer: Remind the team of the retrospective's purpose and steer the discussion towards identifying improvements

The best answer is to remind the team of the retrospective's purpose and steer the discussion towards identifying improvements. The retrospective should focus on the team's processes and how to improve them, not on blaming individuals. Allowing the team to continue discussing individual mistakes or facilitating a discussion around individual responsibilities and consequences goes against the purpose of the retrospective and can lead to a negative atmosphere. Ending the retrospective early and rescheduling it does not address the issue at hand and may not lead to a more productive retrospective in the future.

Question 2

A team member always remains silent during retrospectives. How should a Scrum Master address this?

Force the individual to speak up during the retrospectives Privately ask the team member if there are any impediments to their active participation Ignore the silent team member as long as they do their work Discuss the individual’s silence with the rest of the team

Correct Answer: Privately ask the team member if there are any impediments to their active participation

The Scrum Master's role is to facilitate communication and make sure that each team member is able to contribute effectively. If a team member always remains silent during retrospectives, the Scrum Master would need to address the situation but in a considerate manner. The best course of action is to privately ask the team member if there are any impediments to their active participation. This respects the team member's personal space and allows them to voice any concerns. The other three options aren’t constructive approaches. Forcing the individual to speak up during the retrospectives could create discomfort or resentment. Ignoring the silent team member doesn't address a potential problem. Discussing the individual's silence with the rest of the team could feel like a breach of trust and can breed negativity within the team.

Question 3

During the retrospective, one team member blames another for the failure of the sprint. As the Scrum Master, how do you handle this situation?

Ignore the claim and move on with the retrospective. Remind the team to focus on the process and system rather than individuals, and look for ways to improve the situation. Take sides and critique the one being blamed. Report the situation to higher management.

Correct Answer: Remind the team to focus on the process and system rather than individuals, and look for ways to improve the situation.

The role of a ScrumMaster during a sprint retrospective is to foster a productive, respectful environment where all participants focus on the process and how to improve it. This means not taking sides or blaming individuals, but looking at the larger system and finding ways to make it better. Hence, the correct answer is 'Remind the team to focus on the process and system rather than individuals, and look for ways to improve the situation.'. Others are wrong because targeting an individual creates a hostile environment contrary to the goal of Scrum. Ignoring the situation or escalating it to higher management is an abdication of the ScrumMaster 's role and calls to question why the ScrumMaster is there in the first place.

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