5 Reasons Running Sprint Retrospectives Improves Software Development Across the Board

We get what you're thinking: there are sprint tasks to do, and they need to be done well.

But knowing that there are tasks, and actually getting your team of developers to do them well are two different things. And then comes the moment of dread: the sprint retrospective. 

Regardless of whether your sprints are fun, are a bit different from the norm or you’ve discovered the holy grail for running a truly blameless retro: retros are still a totally necessary occurrence, for more reasons than one. 

One of the most important reasons is that they can be used as a really successful tool to get your software developers to take things up a notch: not just to perform better within sprints, but to become better software developers. Here’s how. 

Get Your Developers on Board, Across the Board

What’s worse than an ineffective sprint? 

An ineffective software developer. 

That’s because, while your sprint can always be improved (and there’s always, always another one lurking just around the corner!), a bored, unfocused or sloppy software developer is another kettle of fish altogether. 

So: you need to fix your issue at the source: get your software developers on board, across the board. 

But how do you do that, you ask? 

It may sound like a catch 22, but the one feeds into the other. Having effective blame-free sprints, or even quick but meaningful sprints., is a way to get everyone at their best...and ready to do their best in the next sprint. 

Inspire Collaboration

The best way to have an effective sprint is to have your sprint run effectively (go back and repeat that last sentence to yourself until it sinks in!). 

And the best way to run your sprint effectively is to have a collaborative, communicative team that identifies issues and fixes or prevents them as and when they happen. 

Using your sprint to promote a culture of honesty, openness and positivity is just one way to help your team be at their best during the sprint itself. 

And the way to get things moving is to get your teams-talking. Check out our list of fun (but not time-draining) ice-breakers to get your dev team talking to one another. 

Because better communication means better teamwork...which means a better overall sprint! 

Make Them Feel Involved and Important 

Software developers rule the roost. Without them, there wouldn't be a sprint...but there also wouldn't be anything to look at or use either! 

But, knowing that they're integral to the entire process, and having them actually feel a part of something bigger and take full ownership are two different things. 

Your software development teams should be made to feel as if they matter, and not just their development skills. Using your retrospective to ask them about their personal opinions (and share their ideas for ways forward) is a guaranteed way to elevate them beyond just mere coding and that happen to be attached to bodies. 

Creating Transparency 

No one likes nasty surprises, but unfortunately, during a sprint retrospective there aren't many places to hide. 

Using your retrospective as a place to discuss processes and improve them is ideal...but actually instilling a sense of transparency in your team from the off is an even better, more effective way to keep your developers engaged and open. 

The retrospective itself is a safe pace, but the safest spaces of all come from a team that feels secure, happy and respected all throughout the process. 

Get Your Devs On Board with GoRetro

Not only do your software developers need to be on board, but running a sprint retrospective can be hard work. 

So run your sprints, and make them more fun, honest, and efficient in the process. 

GoRetro is a completely free sprint retrospective tool designed to keep your team focused, happy and blame-free, while speeding up your sprint process entirely. 

Sign up for GoRetro now - the 100% free tool that will change your sprints and your software development team for the better!