sprint retrospective duration (scrum guide vs SW in 30 days)

Hi Nikos,

As the exam is set by scrum.org the question will be based on scrum guide contents.
If you look at Appendix 1 page 131 of the same book Software in 30 days.
Time is defined the same as scrum guide, so its a kind of contradiction of terms.
Understand your point you are putting forward RE timeboxes as it could be confusing.
As a SM you would be keeping the events to timeboxes, as far as this is concerned
I would go with the timebox that the scrum guide recommends and also page 131 of that book.
Could also be worth dropping Ken or Jeff a mail in the thinking behind the four hour time listed.
Share the result with the wider community in this post.


Michael

thnx for your feedback Michael!
i will contact Ken for his comments as well!

Mehdi spotted this back in January. At the time, I suggested it was a typo and no-one has contradicted me on that. See:

https://www.scrum.org/Forums/aft/595

Taken very literally of course, the book is also right. The claim that a Sprint Retrospective should never exceed 4 hours is a valid one.

Hi Nick,
Normally you should have an 1 hour Retro, for a one week sprint, ergo 2 hr for 2 weeks etc.

In my opinion the 4hours is a guideline, it is the maximum time that should not be exceeded for this ceremony. When it comes to how long exactly is needed per sprint (2 or 4weeks) this is a team discussion facilitated by the SM because today we can use tools that help gather input prior to the meeting for a more focused meeting which translates to saving time. 

Just remember that if you are taking any this sites exams, the correct answer will always be 3 hours or less for a one month sprint, for exams based upon the 2020 guide.