Easy Agile

Ep. 32 Why Your Retrospectives Keep Failing (and How to Finally Fix Them)

Episode Summary

Discover why agile retrospectives become ineffective checkbox exercises and learn practical strategies to transform them into powerful drivers of team improvement. Experts from Easy Agile and Adaptavist share actionable insights.

Episode Notes

Ever feel like your retrospectives are stuck in a repetitive loop, producing plenty of discussion but little action? You're not alone. Join Jaclyn Smith, Senior Product Manager at Easy Agile, and Shane Raubenheimer, Agile Technical Consultant at Adaptavist, as they break down exactly why retrospectives often become mere checkbox exercises—and how to transform them into powerful catalysts for genuine improvement.

In this conversation, you'll discover:

• Common retrospective pitfalls and why teams get disengaged
• How to elevate action items from afterthoughts to first-class tasks
• Strategies to address persistent issues beyond team control
• Practical advice on managing overwhelming improvement initiatives
• Tips for gaining essential leadership buy-in and organizational support

Whether you're a Scrum Master, Product Owner, Agile Coach, or a team member striving for better retrospectives, this discussion provides clear, actionable guidance to help you move from "doing agile" to truly "being agile."

Jaclyn Smith and Shane Raubenheimer also hosted a live, hands-on webinar designed to turn retrospectives into powerful engines for continuous improvement - https://easyagile.com/webinars/retro-action-run-impactful-agile-retrospectives-easy-agile-adaptavist

📚 Further reading:

Improve Sprint Retrospective Action Items: https://www.easyagile.com/blog/improve-sprint-retrospective-action-items

Action-Driven Agile Retrospective Template: https://easyagile.com/benefits/action-driven-agile-retrospective-template

Easy Agile TeamRhythm: https://www.easyagile.com/products/teamrhythm