Definition: Retrospective refers to an examination or evaluation of one's past actions, experiences, or projects that has been performed after a period of time.
A retrospective can be used in several contexts:
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Personal reflection
: It is often done by individuals who have completed their goals and achievements in the past.
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Educational review
- A retrospective exam provides an educational review for a course or subject. For example, students may examine what they learned from previous classes to determine whether they understand the material at a more advanced level.
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Social evaluation
- Retrospective evaluations are often used by family members or friends when reflecting on how their relationship with a person has developed over time.
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Professional review
- A retrospective can be used in professional settings, such as a medical examination to assess whether a patient has recovered from an illness.
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Historical evaluation
- It is also used for historical records or reviews of past events. For example, a historian might conduct a retrospective examination to compare the current situation with what they observed before.
For instance, if you were reviewing a project that had just ended, you would likely start with a retrospective assessment of how it was managed and completed. This could include discussing successes, challenges encountered during the project, and lessons learned from it for future projects.