As with most Agile workshops, don’t be put-off by the terminology. Agile is a flexible and human-centred way to manage projects and most facilitators could guide a retrospective using the instructions provided.

A good idea is to rotate the responsibility of facilitating a retrospective amongst team members to build facilitation skills within the team and ensure that different perspectives and approaches are brought to each session. Whenever a team member “wears their facilitator hat” should remember to remain impartial, and separate their “facilitator” self from their role in the project.

In certain situations, an external facilitator may be brought in to provide a fresh perspective and facilitate unbiased discussions. An Agile coach can also facilitate retrospectives, bringing with them a wealth of knowledge and facilitation skills to help teams navigate the process.

Who facilitates a retrospective depends on factors such as team dynamics and expertise.

Of course, it’s helpful to have knowledge of the project and Agile principles, but the key point is to create a safe and open space where team members can freely share their thoughts and ideas.