How often should a Scrum team conduct Sprint Retrospectives?

A Scrum team should conduct Sprint Retrospectives at the end of each Sprint to foster continuous improvement. This regular cadence allows the team to reflect on the previous Sprint, discuss what went well, what did not, and how they can enhance their processes for future Sprints. The goal is to identify actionable improvements that can lead to better collaboration and productivity.

Conducting retrospectives at the end of each Sprint aligns with Scrum's empirical process control theory, where teams regularly inspect their progress and adapt their practices. This iterative reflection emphasizes learning and growth, ensuring that the team evolves and becomes more effective over time.

In contrast, holding a retrospective only once at the end of the project would not provide the necessary touchpoints for improvement throughout the development process. Monthly retrospectives may not allow for timely adjustments to be made, as the team could miss opportunities for enhancements after each Sprint. Examining team performance exclusively when issues arise can lead to a reactive rather than proactive approach, potentially overlooking small but significant areas for improvement that could have been addressed after prior Sprints.