BMAD-METHOD/bmad-agent/tasks/methodology-retrospective-task.md

Methodology Retrospective Task

Purpose

Conduct systematic retrospective analysis to identify methodology improvements and track effectiveness metrics.

When to Execute

• After completing any major milestone or phase
• When encountering significant challenges or inefficiencies
• At regular intervals during long projects (weekly/bi-weekly)
• When transitioning between BMAD personas

Instructions

1. Performance Analysis

Analyze the recently completed work phase:

Velocity Metrics:

• Time from task initiation to completion
• Number of iterations required to reach acceptable quality
• Frequency of rework or significant revisions

Quality Metrics:

• Clarity and completeness of deliverables
• Alignment between outputs and requirements
• Downstream usability (how well outputs served subsequent phases)

Satisfaction Metrics:

• User feedback on process effectiveness
• Ease of execution for the persona
• Stakeholder satisfaction with outcomes

2. Pattern Identification

Look for recurring patterns:

Successful Patterns:

• Which techniques, approaches, or workflows worked exceptionally well?
• What conditions contributed to smooth execution?
• Which persona interactions were most effective?

Problematic Patterns:

• Where did bottlenecks or inefficiencies occur?
• What caused confusion, rework, or delays?
• Which handoffs between personas were challenging?

3. Improvement Opportunities

Based on analysis, identify specific improvements:

Process Enhancements:

• Refinements to persona instructions or workflows
• Better templates or frameworks
• Improved handoff procedures between personas

Effectiveness Boosters:

• Additional capabilities that would improve outcomes
• Better integration between different BMAD components
• Enhanced quality control mechanisms

4. Implementation Recommendations

For each identified improvement:

Priority Assessment:

• High: Critical improvements that significantly impact effectiveness
• Medium: Valuable enhancements that provide moderate benefits
• Low: Minor optimizations for future consideration

Implementation Complexity:

• Simple: Can be implemented immediately
• Moderate: Requires some planning or testing
• Complex: Needs significant design work or user approval

Expected Impact:

• Quantified benefits where possible (time savings, quality improvements)
• Risk assessment for proposed changes

5. Methodology Update Proposals

Create specific, actionable proposals:

Persona Instruction Updates:

• Specific text changes to persona files
• New principles or capabilities to add
• Outdated instructions to remove or modify

Task and Template Improvements:

• Enhanced task instructions or frameworks
• Better template structures or guidance
• New tasks needed for identified gaps

Workflow Optimizations:

• Improved sequence of persona engagement
• Better integration points between phases
• Enhanced feedback loops

6. User Approval Process

For major changes:

Present Findings:

• Clear summary of analysis and recommendations
• Expected benefits and potential risks
• Implementation plan and timeline

Seek Approval:

• Explicit user confirmation for significant methodology changes
• Discussion of concerns or alternative approaches
• Agreement on implementation priorities

7. Implementation and Tracking

Once approved:

Apply Changes:

• Update relevant persona files, tasks, and templates
• Modify workflow documentation
• Update CLAUDE.md if necessary

Document Changes:

• Record all changes in the improvement log
• Note expected outcomes and success metrics
• Set up tracking for effectiveness validation

Validate Improvements:

• Monitor effectiveness of implemented changes
• Collect feedback on new approaches
• Plan follow-up retrospectives to assess impact

Output Format

Create a structured retrospective report with:

1. Executive Summary - Key findings and recommendations
2. Performance Metrics - Quantified analysis of recent phase
3. Pattern Analysis - Successful and problematic patterns identified
4. Improvement Proposals - Specific, prioritized recommendations
5. Implementation Plan - Steps to apply approved changes
6. Success Metrics - How to measure improvement effectiveness

Integration with BMAD Evolution

This task directly supports the self-improving nature of the BMAD framework by:

• Providing systematic methodology improvement
• Ensuring continuous optimization based on real-world usage
• Maintaining quality while enabling rapid evolution
• Creating a feedback loop for all BMAD components

Execute this task regularly to ensure the BMAD methodology continues to evolve and improve with each project experience.