Agile Retrospectives, 2nd Edition

Chapter 11Retrospectives When the Team Isn’t Colocated

When we wrote the first edition, colocation was considered an absolute requirement for successful teams. Agile emphasized frequent and direct communication—with the assumption that meant in-person, ideally in the same room. In fact, having a colocated team is one of the Principles of Agile Software Development: “The most efficient and effective method of conveying information to and within a development team is face-to-face conversation.”^[11]

There’s a lot to be said for colocated teams. There’s ample opportunity for casual conversations that build camaraderie. Shared space makes shared learning via task walls and information radiators easier. Nothing gets in the way of pulling out a pack ...