Using Games in Retrospectives

Written By Allison Pollard

Photo by David Maddison

Retrospectives have been a hot topic amongst my Scrum Masters recently as they focus on their facilitation skills and helping their teams improve.  They're channeling the true purpose of sprint retrospectives and experimenting with different activities.  It's amazing to see this group learn from each other and watch the excitement spread to their teams.  Activities from Innovation Games and Agile Retrospectives are being used; one Scrum Master tried the Non Musical Chairs game from Tasty Cupcakes and shared feedback via email with me:

It was  HUGE hit and very successful!!

I think they loved being ‘not just sat there, writing or talking’ as it as an active retrospective, which involves moving, thinking quickly and working as a team.

I’m very happy with the retro method and so is the team.

Only problem now is to find something better to do for the next one!! A great problem to have!

Allison Pollard

Allison Pollard helps overwhelmed technical leaders debug their management approach. She teaches them how to manage up, support people through change, and make time for strategic work. Her education in computer science, mathematics, and English from Southern Methodist University helps her connect technical work with people management. As a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) and Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Allison focuses on improving product delivery and leadership culture. Her experience includes work in energy, retail, financial, real estate, and transportation industries. Allison regularly speaks at global conferences like Scrum Gatherings and Agile Alliance's Agile20xx. She promotes women's leadership as the program director for Women in Agile's Mentorship program. When she's not working, Allison likes to drink lattes and listen to Broadway musicals. Allison is a proud glasses wearer and co-owner of Middlegame Partners.

http://www.allisonpollard.com
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