A retrospective refers to the last stage in a development cycle—reflection. Retrospectives present an opportunity to assess the process based on the experience and inform future practices.

Clearly defining the roles, goals, and expectations for a project is an important step in becoming a trusted workplace leader. A clear vision of the project and the steps you and your team will take to get there are invaluable. But it’s only one side of the proverbial coin.

Your team has defined roles, attainable and measurable goals, and clear expectations. So why is there still conflict?

Clashing visions, unclear expectations, and team members who don’t pull their weight—issues arise in every industry and on projects of all scales. But they tend to be especially common in large-scale, highly complex software projects. With so many moving pieces, nuanced tasks, and tight deadlines, it’s tempting to dive into a new project and build the plane as you fly it. However, conflict thrives when teams operate without a strong foundation.

Employee recognition matters. But in a time of tightening tech budgets, it’s tough to find free ways to recognize your team. Most remote team recognition options are either a steep investment or, worse, a complete flop that leaves employees feeling underappreciated.