What does a team retrospective typically focus on?

A team retrospective primarily focuses on discussing what can be improved in future iterations. This practice is a core part of the Agile methodology and is essential for continuous improvement. During a retrospective, team members reflect on their experiences from the prior iteration, examining both what went well and what did not. By identifying areas for improvement, the team can adapt their processes, tools, and interactions to enhance productivity and effectiveness in subsequent iterations.

This focus on improvement fosters a culture of open communication and collaboration, allowing team members to express their thoughts freely about challenges they faced and successes they achieved. The insights gathered during this retrospective process are crucial for optimizing performance and ensuring that the team is constantly evolving and addressing obstacles that may hinder progress.

While identifying top performers, setting long-term goals, and resolving conflicts are important aspects of team dynamics and performance management, they do not encapsulate the primary aim of a retrospective, which is centered around reflection and actionable improvement for the next cycle.