The team assessment feature in Azure DevOps retrospectives helps teams regularly reflect on their well-being, collaboration, and work-life balance, crucial for sustained performance and innovation.

The team assessment tool's feedback reveals patterns, not just sentiment snapshots. For example, dips in clarity, energy, and psychological safety mentioned in the blog Empowerment through automation and artificial intelligence were linked to organizational changes. Over time, the team's resilience grew due to a culture of empowerment and safe retrospectives to address concerns early.

Tracking work-life balance has been invaluable. When scores dropped due to workload spikes and staffing transitions, we provided targeted support, restoring balance.

Microsoft research shows that teams using retrospectives improve productivity by up to 25%. Yet, fewer than 15% of software teams and less than 5% of non-software teams do them regularly. The Azure DevOps Retrospectives extension, used by over 57,000 organizations, simplifies feedback collection, trend visualization, and actionable work item creation within the same platform.

For details on the research, see:

• Retrospectives: The Hidden Gem Enabling Teams to Thrive - Part 1 - Azure DevOps Blog
• Team Retrospectives | Microsoft Garage

Work-life balance is not merely a wellness metric; it is essential for sustainable performance. In DevOps, where people are our most valuable asset, the team assessment feature within Azure DevOps retrospectives is crucial. It facilitates continuous improvement, promotes psychological safety, and emphasizes human-centered leadership. Regularly assessing the team's well-being allows for honest reflection, early intervention, and shared accountability.

This practice aids in maintaining morale during periods of high demand, fosters experimentation, and empowers engineers to take ownership of their respective areas. It is instrumental in developing resilient teams that do more than just deliver results - they have fun and they thrive.

As I prepare to take an extended leave for a digital detox, I am fully confident in my team's strength and momentum. I look forward to returning and witnessing the innovations and improvements that will undoubtedly emerge in my absence.

Call to action!

• Start tracking your team’s health.
• Identify and address concerns early.
• Have fun!