Keep, Add, Less, More
Let's reflect on what we should keep, add, do less, and do more to improve our workflow and deliver value.
Template Columns
Keep
Identify practices and outcomes worth preserving.
Base column: KeepAdd
Propose new ideas, tools, or habits to introduce.
Base column: AddLess
Highlight activities or processes to reduce or eliminate.
Base column: LessMore
Spot opportunities to increase effort or focus for greater impact.
Base column: MoreAbout this template
A four‑column retrospective that helps the team decide what to keep, add, do less, and do more to continuously improve their workflow.
When to use this template
Use when you want a balanced view of current practices and future changes, especially after a sprint or project phase.
How to facilitate
Start by setting the purpose and reminding the team of the four categories: Keep, Add, Less, More
Give each participant five minutes to write down their thoughts on sticky notes, one idea per note, and place them in the appropriate column
After the silent writing, invite the group to read each note aloud and group similar ideas together
Facilitate a discussion to prioritize items in each column, focusing on impact and feasibility
Vote on the top items in each column using dot voting or a digital poll
Summarize the agreed actions, assign owners, and record them in the team's backlog or action board
Pro Tips
Encourage participants to think in terms of behaviors, not people, to keep the conversation constructive
Limit each participant to a maximum of three items per column to keep the board manageable
Use a timer to keep the silent writing and discussion phases on track
FAQ
What if the board becomes too crowded with notes?
Group similar items together, merge duplicates, and ask the team to vote on the most important ones to keep the focus narrow.
How do we handle disagreements on what should be added or removed?
Facilitate a brief discussion to explore the underlying concerns, then use a simple voting method to reach a consensus on priority.
Can this format be used for longer periods, like quarterly reviews?
Yes, you can run it at the end of a quarter; just allocate more time for deeper discussion and consider splitting the board into sub‑themes if needed.
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At a glance
- Duration
45–60 min
- Team Size
4-12 people
- Columns
4 columns
- Base Format
Keep, Add, Less, More
Tags
Ready to get started?
Use this template to run your next retrospective