The structure and cadence of an end-of-sprint retrospective can differ among agile software delivery teams. An end-of-sprint retro is a vital feedback loop that provides teams with valuable insight to help them continuously improve and reach common ground. Inadvertently, it can also be a space for team bonding because it encourages everyone to share candid thoughts and ideas. As humans, we have a natural desire to cultivate connection and co-exist within a diverse community. A retro can be considered a space that allows us to do both. Due to the organic nature of a retro to provide a safe space to gather as a team, it is important to set a clear intention for it at the beginning of the ceremony.
Why set an intention?
This is a practice that I actively use and advocate for. This is because intention is essentially the driving force behind motivating us to execute certain actions. To crystalize, if the intention for the retro is to promote genuine team transparency, then the idea is that it will motivate the team to act transparently.
The current state of the team and project, the needs or norms of the team, and other determining factors should be taken into consideration when creating the retro intention. You also have the option of setting a foundational retro intention that will carry the team throughout the project. With a baseline retro intention, it is encouraged to revisit it at the start of the ceremony as a refresher to keep it top of mind.
Alternatively, you can craft a different intention if you sense a shift in the shared team’s need. As the retro facilitator, you have the liberty to create an intention based on your insights or make it a collaborative effort by collecting sentiments from the team. There is always a push for more team collaboration. Crafting an intention together is a great way to nurture that. Setting an intention has a way of fostering an environment that is open, positive, and psychologically safe. ( That means an environment where individuals feel safe to express themselves, take risks, and share ideas without fear of negative consequences.) It also sets the tone across the team that everyone can be trusted to uphold the intention.
The goal is to keep the process of crafting an intention simple, so that the primary focus is on ensuring that it is sincere and team-centered. Start with these three simple steps to create and maintain it.
Step 1: Reflect on the health of the team and project.
It is helpful to start by reflecting to have a bird’s-eye view of the current health of the team and project. This is an opportune time to slow down and dissect what you perceive may be the needs of the team in a shared space of reflection. Reflecting will also let you review important insights to determine what has had an impact on the team’s overall health. Looking back will naturally bring things to the surface that may not have been acknowledged or addressed at some point in the project. By reflecting first, you can approach creating an intention with these things in mind and from a wholehearted perspective.
Step 2: Write the team retro intention (1-3 sentences).
After you have spent time reflecting, next up is crafting an intention statement between 1-3 sentences. The idea is to keep it concise enough to enable you and the team to review and digest it quickly. Crafting a meaningful intention requires a sincere posture of caring about the team. It sets the kind of tone you would like for the retro environment and nurtures team authenticity. Start by brainstorming at least three thoughtful intentions that speak to the tone you would like to set for the team retro. Then choose the statement that you believe aligns best. The statement you choose will essentially guide the retro atmosphere and team energy in the chosen direction. Here is an example to help you get started.
Example: Our intention for retro is to identify opportunities for improvement, celebrate team success, and leave with clear, actionable steps to grow stronger as a team.
Step 3: Keep the intention visible and accessible.
As we move from sprint to sprint, the intention can float to the back of our minds. It’s important to keep the intention in a visible and accessible place, so that, at any time, your team can revisit it. Keep it highly visible via your Slack channel, on the platform you use to create your team retro boards (i.e., Miro), and/or in the team shared space in the office. The goal is to keep the intention in sight and in mind, so that the team can continue to honor why they gather for retro.
Your retro intention serves as a guiding principle, helping the team understand how to approach the ceremony. Since a retrospective offers a vital pulse check on the team’s current state, a well-crafted and clearly communicated intention adds depth and focus to the conversation. May this post encourage you to set a clear intention for your next retro, one that resonates with the team and inspires genuine alignment.