Engagement/Integrated Marketing/Closing/Retrospective
The retrospective is a key step in the life-cycle of a project and provides the primary method for improving future project performance. The retrospective process is composed of 3 tasks:
- Requesting Feedback
- Distributing Feedback Results
- Holding A Retrospective Meeting: Deciding On Changes
These tasks are the responsibility of the project manager.
Requesting Feedback
When Do I Ask For Feedback?
Immediately following a project launch or significant milestone.
Who Do I Ask For Feedback?
Project participants with non-trivial deliverables including folks on the RASCI. Anyone who is part
of the weekly meeting should participate.
How Do I Ask For Feedback?
An anonymous survey is the preferred method for feedback. A template for WebProd projects is listed below
and has questions aimed at informing specific improvements. You are encouraged to copy the template
and adjust/edit/delete for your specific project and needs.
How Long Do Folks Have To Complete The Survey?
1-2 weeks, you will need to send reminders to encourage participation.
WebProd Retrospective Survey Template
- Click File, "Make a copy" to use this template for your retrospective.
Distributing Feedback Results
Once the deadline for completing the survey has passed you should distribute the results. You should distribute the results as part the invitation to the retrospective meeting. This invite should be sent a few days before the meeting so participants have ample time for review.
If you use the Google survey you can generate a PDF of the results from within the form.
Below is an example survey result from the WebWeWant project.
WebWeWant Retrospective Summary
The Retrospective Meeting
The retrospective meeting is the forum for discussing improvements to future projects. This meeting should not focus on the contents of the survey. Your goal is to develop concrete changes based on the survey. Focus on what to do next time.
Your agenda for this meeting should provide areas for each team to outline improvements. An example agenda from the WebWeWant project is below.
WebWeWant Retrospective Meeting
After the retrospective meeting concludes you should send out both the retrospective summary and the meeting notes to peers or other individuals who may benefit from the results.
