RetroSpectives

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Thanks for attending the Retrospectives workshop at OT2003. I hope that you now feel equipped to try Retrospectives in your own projects. Here are outputs from the session where the subject of our reflection was the OT2003 conference. Many thanks to Gill and the IEE team for typing the points on flipcharts up. - RachelDavies

WHAT WORKED WELL

* Mix of formal/informal sessions * Venue - accommodation good - bedrooms, bar area, spacious * Structure (streams and themes) - easy to navigate * Invited speakers * Packs/bags * Catch up on day - home groups * Social interaction with peers (%2b%2b) * Learnt so much from (un)expected sources - mutual help in submitting sessions * Synchronized feeling * Not a fixed plan * So many interesting people * Good interaction * Fun * Relaxed * Many open minds * Diversions - recital, play * Shepherd questioning assumptions * Stuff! * Working group content * Drinks reception * Large communal area (bar/sofas) Facilities mingling, sharing experiences * Efficiency of venue staff * Nice hotel-level rooms * Good, good food * High standard and range of sessions

WHAT COULD DO DIFFERENTLY

* Home Groups - perhaps hold at lunchtimes instead * “User” involvement on session scheduling * Some sessions to unstructured * Heavy invited speaker i.e. Jackson, for a morning session * Wireless instead of internet connection * Invited speakers must keep to time * More contingency/downtime * Stick to the plan - don’t join sessions * Organise some sort of session that mixes up the islands of interest - mixer sessions * All sessions should start on (revised) schedule * Half day open space format * Soft drinks not locked up * Shepherding feedback * Shepherding neutral * Later submission deadline * Organised minibus from station * Directions * Restrict number of organisers (3) running a session * Lighter content for after dinner talk * Order no audergines! * Keep to schedule

PUZZLE

* How to choose what to go to? - abstracts - risk of a duff session - stick to safety * Are residential multi-days better than one day formal learning? * Buildfest - fine for those who stayed the course, but issues with time, commitment etc. Pre-reqs/knowledge ……… * What’t is going to be next year? * New Name? * Sports facilities * Shepherding too involved * When/if to mix working groups - why didn’t it work well? * Joining instructions - missing * Why WG preferences didn’t get to WG organisers?