retrospektive

Retrospektive, or retrospective in English, is a term used to describe a look back at the development, output, or history of a subject. The word derives from Latin retro- “back” and spectare “to look at.” In general usage, a retrospective seeks to understand progress, influence, and outcomes by examining past work or events.

In arts and culture, a retrospective exhibition presents a broad survey of an artist’s or filmmaker’s career, often spanning many years. Such shows are curated to reveal evolution, recurring themes, and changes in technique, and may include early works, rarely shown pieces, and archival materials. Retrospectives are common in museums and galleries and can be dedicated to individual artists, movements, or periods.

In film, photography, and related media, retrospectives can be organized by festivals, institutions, or cultural centers to honor a creator’s oeuvre, highlight a particular stylistic phase, or contextualize a movement. They accompany catalogs and accompanying programs that frame the historical significance and influence of the works shown.

In software development and project management, a sprint retrospective is a regular meeting held after a development cycle to reflect on what went well, what did not, and how processes can be improved. The goal is continuous improvement, with concrete action items assigned for the next iteration.

In research and epidemiology, retrospective studies analyze existing data to examine outcomes or associations after events or exposures, as opposed to collecting data prospectively. Such studies can be limited by biases in data collection or recall but remain useful for exploring hypotheses and informing future research.

See also: retrospection, retrospective exhibition, sprint retrospective.