🏭⚙️ Assembly Line
Step onto the factory floor and inspect our production line—celebrate smooth operations, halt the jams, and keep the gears turning for continuous improvement!
Template Columns
🚀 Initiate Production
Identify new processes or practices to kick-start our workflow.
Base column: Start🛑 Halt the Jam
Pinpoint bottlenecks or habits to cease for smoother flow.
Base column: Stop🔧 Keep the Line Running
Highlight effective practices to maintain and refine.
Base column: ContinueAbout this template
A factory‑themed retrospective that lets teams identify new initiatives, stop bottlenecks, and reinforce practices that keep the workflow moving.
When to use this template
Best when the team wants a clear, action‑oriented review of processes and wants to visualize workflow health.
How to facilitate
Begin by reminding the team of the factory metaphor and the goal to improve our workflow.
Ask participants to write down ideas for new processes or practices they want to start and place them in the Initiate Production column.
Collect suggestions for bottlenecks or habits to stop and add them to the Halt the Jam column.
Gather examples of practices that are working well and put them in the Keep the Line Running column.
Group similar items together and use dot voting to prioritize the most important actions in each column.
Turn the top‑voted items into concrete, time‑boxed action items with owners.
End with a quick recap of commitments and thank the team for their contributions.
Pro Tips
Use colored sticky notes or digital tags to differentiate new ideas from existing practices.
Limit each participant to three items per column to keep the board focused.
Allocate a timer for each column to maintain momentum.
Encourage the team to phrase ‘stop’ items as specific behaviors rather than vague complaints.
Follow up on action items in the next sprint’s stand‑up to ensure accountability.
FAQ
What if the team can’t agree on what to stop?
Facilitate a brief discussion to clarify the impact of each bottleneck, then use dot voting to surface the most critical one.
How many items should we aim for in each column?
Aim for 5‑7 high‑quality items per column; too many can dilute focus and extend the session.
Can this format be used for larger teams?
For groups larger than 12, split into smaller sub‑teams to brainstorm separately, then reconvene to share and prioritize the combined results.
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At a glance
- Duration
45–60 min
- Team Size
4-12 people
- Columns
3 columns
- Base Format
Start, Stop, Continue
Tags
Ready to get started?
Use this template to run your next retrospective