Team Sustainability Retrospective

This retrospective template was inspired by the 8th agile principle from the Agile Manifesto: Agile processes promote sustainable development. The sponsors, developers, and users should be able to maintain a constant pace indefinitely. The retro uses the theme of sustainability through out the 5 step process which include a number of fun activities. This retro can be used by any Agile team that is looking to identify and eliminate wasteful activities.

How does the Team Sustainability retrospective work?

Each activity must be tackled in the order in which they are listed in the template over 5 key steps. Timings for the retro are flexible depending upon the size of your team, but typically it should be completed within 60 mins:

1. Step 1: Set the Stage - Kick off with 2 fun icebreakers by selecting which item you would take with you on a desert island, and gauge how the previous iteration went for you by picking the most relevant weather icon.

2. Step 2: Gather Data - The main part of the retro asks teams to identify what they are most proud of from the previous iteration to celebrate key successes. Then identify the most wasteful activities within the team by using the 7 Lean wastes.

3. Step 3: Generate Insights - Each team member should transfer their stick notes from the previous board to the most relevant circle of influence - this will help the team focus on the things that they have control over as a priority.

4. Step 4: Decide What To Do - Each team member should transfer their sticky notes within the sphere of influence that the team can control to the appropriate quadrant in this board. This will enable group consensus on the things the team wish to improve as part of the next iteration.

5. Step 5: Close the Retrospective - This is a fun way to end the retro where the team will identify commitments to make the world a better place. These could include any theme such as, how to help the environment by recycling more, helping others by having regular coffee catch-ups to improve their mental health, etc.