Start, Stop, Continue
Let’s align our sprint rhythm: identify what to begin, what to halt, and what to keep thriving, ensuring continuous improvement and clear focus.
Template Columns
Start
Propose new actions or practices to initiate for better outcomes.
Base column: StartStop
Highlight activities that hinder progress and should be discontinued.
Base column: StopContinue
Recognize effective practices to maintain and build upon.
Base column: ContinueAbout this template
A quick, three‑column retrospective that surfaces ideas to start, stop, and continue for immediate improvement.
When to use this template
Use when the team needs clear, actionable feedback on current practices and wants to align on next sprint priorities.
How to facilitate
Explain the purpose of the Start, Stop, Continue format and set a timer for each activity.
Ask participants to write brief items on virtual sticky notes for each column silently.
Collect all notes in the shared board, grouping similar ideas together.
Facilitate a round‑robin discussion, letting the team elaborate on each item.
Vote on the most important items in each column using dot voting or reactions.
Turn the top‑voted items into concrete action items with owners and due dates.
Pro Tips
Limit each contribution to one sentence to keep the board concise.
Use a timer (e.g., 5 minutes) for silent brainstorming to maintain momentum.
Cluster duplicate ideas before discussion to avoid repetition.
FAQ
What if the team struggles to generate items for a column?
Prompt with specific examples or ask participants to think of recent pain points or successes to spark ideas.
How many items should we keep after voting?
Aim for 2–3 high‑impact actions per column to keep the sprint backlog focused and achievable.
Can we reuse the same items in future retrospectives?
Yes, move completed actions to a ‘Done’ list and revisit unfinished items in the next session.
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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