Sprint Retrospective
Part of the Scrum Guide chapter index. Read the canonical version inline in the app: Sprint Retrospective on app.prettyscrum.org.
Why this chapter matters for the PSM I exam
The Sprint Retrospective closes the Sprint. Maximum 3 hours for a one-month Sprint. The Scrum Team inspects how the last Sprint went with regard to people, interactions, processes, tools, and Definition of Done. Outcome: actionable improvements added to the next Sprint Backlog.
The Scrum Guide text
The purpose of the Sprint Retrospective is to plan ways to increase quality and effectiveness.
The Scrum Team inspects how the last Sprint went with regards to individuals, interactions, processes, tools, and their Definition of Done. Inspected elements often vary with the domain of work. Assumptions that led them astray are identified and their origins explored. The Scrum Team discusses what went well during the Sprint, what problems it encountered, and how those problems were (or were not) solved.
The Scrum Team identifies the most helpful changes to improve its effectiveness. The most impactful improvements are addressed as soon as possible. They may even be added to the Sprint Backlog for the next Sprint.
The Sprint Retrospective concludes the Sprint. It is timeboxed to a maximum of three hours for a one-month Sprint. For shorter Sprints, the event is usually shorter.
Source: 2020 Scrum Guide by Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland, © CC BY-SA 4.0. License.
Key points to remember
- Maximum 3 hours for a one-month Sprint.
- The whole Scrum Team participates.
- Inspect: people, interactions, processes, tools, DoD.
- Identify and order the most helpful changes.
- Most impactful improvements go into the next Sprint Backlog.
- Concludes the Sprint — the last event before the next Sprint Planning.
Common exam trap
The most impactful improvements are typically added to the next Sprint Backlog as soon as possible. This is the most concrete answer choice on Retro questions — not “create a Jira ticket” or “tell management.”
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Related chapters
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Author: Maurice Heinze (PSM I, certified by Scrum.org). Last updated: 2026-05-04. Scrum Guide content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.