Martin Fowler

The concept Retrospective has existed almost forever, but not always with that name. As long as humans have existed we have looked back at an activity together, to try to learn from it. After a hunt, after a birth, after a game, after surgery, etc.

Norman Kerth was the first to name it “Retrospective” in the IT world, in his book: Project Retrospectives – a Handbook for Team Reviews from 2001. He described a formal method for preserving the valuable lessons learned from the successes and failures of every project. With detailed scenarios, imaginative illustrations and step-by-step instructions, this book started my journey as a retrospective facilitator. I loved the idea and I began implementing it, first in my own team, then in other teams and later, outside my organization. The activities “Prime Directive”, “Developing a Time Line”, “I’m Too Busy” and other activities are from his book.

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