Atlassian Agile Project Management Professional Certification Practice Exam

When facilitating a retrospective, what method can an agile manager employ to keep team engagement high?

1. Using pre-prepared slides

2. Encouraging group discussions

3. Setting harsh time limits

4. Only addressing issues

The correct answer is: Encouraging group discussions

Encouraging group discussions during a retrospective is an effective method for maintaining high team engagement. This approach fosters collaboration and creates an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and reflections. When individuals are invited to participate in discussions, it empowers them to voice their opinions, contributing to a sense of ownership and accountability for the team's processes and outcomes. Open discussions also facilitate the exchange of diverse perspectives, which can lead to deeper insights about what is working well and what areas need improvement. This participatory atmosphere helps to build trust within the team, encouraging them to be candid about their experiences and to learn from one another. By creating a space for dialogue, the agile manager not only keeps engagement levels high but also promotes continuous improvement by harnessing the collective knowledge of the team. In contrast, using pre-prepared slides might lead to a more one-sided presentation rather than an engaging conversation, while setting harsh time limits could create pressure, leading individuals to disengage from the discussion. Only addressing issues without inviting broader conversation could result in missed opportunities for learning from positive experiences and may discourage team members from actively participating. Overall, facilitating open discussions is a key strategy to enhance engagement and effectiveness in retrospectives.