Retrospective Questions: Spark Insightful, Actionable Team Reflection
Great questions turn retrospectives from routine into revelatory. Use these prompts to surface wins, risks, and next steps without blame.
Foundational Prompts
- What worked unexpectedly well?
- Where did we feel friction or delay?
- What surprised us (good or bad)?
- What will we try differently next sprint?
By Theme
Flow & Delivery
- What slowed our cycle time most?
- Where did handoffs work well/poorly?
- Which work item offered the best ROI?
Quality
- What defects escaped to later stages?
- Which tests gave us highest confidence?
- What signals predicted issues earlier?
Collaboration
- Where did we over/under-communicate?
- Whose work was invisible this sprint?
- What feedback loops should be tighter?
Customer Impact
- What user outcomes did we improve?
- Which signals show real customer value?
- What small bet could delight users next?
Facilitation Tips
- Set the tone: curiosity over criticism
- Timebox and vary activities to keep energy
- Capture 2—3 specific, owned actions max
- Review last sprint’s actions first
Make It Easy with Scrumrobo
Use Scrumrobo templates to rotate themes, collect input async, and auto-track action items.