Running Retrospectives That Drive Real Change | Syed Faizan Amjad
Description: Retrospectives often feel like a checkbox exercise. Learn how to facilitate sessions that surface genuine insights and create actionable improvements.

Agile

# Running Retrospectives That Drive Real Change

Syed Faizan AmjadPMP-Certified IT Project Manager
November 5, 2025
6 min read

Retrospectives often feel like a checkbox exercise. Teams go through the motions, generate a few action items, and then nothing changes. Here's how to facilitate sessions that surface genuine insights and create actionable improvements your team will actually implement.

## Why Most Retrospectives Fail

The biggest problem isn't the format or the framework - it's psychological safety. If team members don't feel safe speaking honestly, you'll only hear surface-level feedback.

> "The best retrospectives happen when people feel safe enough to discuss what really went wrong."

## Creating Psychological Safety

- Start with a check-in that establishes vulnerability
- Remind the team of the Prime Directive: everyone did their best
- Separate people from processes when discussing problems
- Thank people for raising difficult topics

## Formats That Actually Work

### Start-Stop-Continue

Simple and effective. What should we start doing? Stop doing? Continue doing?

### 4Ls: Liked, Learned, Lacked, Longed For

Great for generating more nuanced feedback beyond just problems.

#### Action Item Rules:

- Maximum 3 action items per retrospective
- Each action must have a single owner
- Define "done" clearly for each action
- Review previous actions at the start of the next retro

## Following Through

The most important part happens after the meeting. Track your action items, celebrate completed improvements, and hold yourselves accountable. A retrospective without follow-through is just a venting session.

RetrospectivesAgileScrumTeam Improvement

#### Syed Faizan Amjad

PMP-certified Agile coach helping teams improve their processes and deliver better results.

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