Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast: Agile storytelling from the trenches

The Solution-Focused Retrospective for Agile Teams, Turning Problems Into Goals | Zvonimir Durcevic

Apr 3, 2025

Zvonimir Durcevic, an Agile product development expert, delves into transforming challenges into actionable goals for Agile teams. He emphasizes the importance of a structured retrospective format that allows teams to acknowledge problems while quickly shifting to envisioning solutions. Zvonimir discusses the balance Scrum Masters need to achieve in fostering collaboration without causing burnout. He also provides insights from the upcoming Global Agile Summit, highlighting innovative approaches that can rejuvenate Agile practices.

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ADVICE

Shift Focus from Problems to Goals

Briefly discuss problems to acknowledge them, then swiftly pivot to desired outcomes.
This solution-focused approach helps teams transition from problem-centric to goal-oriented thinking.

ADVICE

Visualize Problems and Goals

Write problems on one side of a flip chart, then goals on the other.
Cut off the problem side, acknowledge them, and focus on the goals.

ADVICE

Assess and Reflect on Past Successes

Use scale questions (0-10) to assess the current status of goals.
Review past successes in addressing the related problems to identify helpful strategies.

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Zvonimir Durcevic: The Solution-Focused Retrospective for Agile Teams, Turning Problems Into Goals

Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes.

Zvonimir defines Scrum Master success as being explicit and intentional about defining and achieving goals. He references Richard Hackmann's model of team effectiveness as a framework to evaluate whether he's helping teams become truly effective. For Zvone, success comes from creating structures that provide teams with feedback about their performance and being explicit about the team's purpose through practices like chartering. By focusing on these elements, Scrum Masters can help teams build the foundation for sustainable success.

Featured Retrospective Format for the Week: Problems Are Disguised Goals

This solution-focused retrospective format, inspired by the work of Ralph Miata and Veronika Jungwirth, allows teams to briefly acknowledge problems before pivoting quickly to what they want to achieve instead. Zvonimir explains that while teams need space to express challenges, the format redirects energy toward envisioning a better future through solution-focused questions. The process includes validating problems, using scale questions (0-10) to assess current status, reviewing past attempts at reaching goals, and designing small experiments to move toward desired outcomes. This approach helps teams shift from problem-orientation to goal-orientation.

Self-reflection Question: How might reframing your team's persistent problems as goals change your approach to addressing them?

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About Zvonimir Durcevic

Zvonimir has worked in agile product development since 2005, holding roles such as Scrum Master, Agile Coach, IT Project, and R&D Manager. He works with teams to co-create tailored solutions to increase engagement and improve customer focus and effectiveness, enabling accelerated value delivery and rapid adaptation to change.

You can link with Zvonimir Durcevic on LinkedIn.