review · Retrospective, Feedback · 20–30 min · 3-20 people · low energy

Stop, Start, Continue

Stop, Start, Continue is a simple retrospective technique that helps teams identify areas for improvement by focusing on what to stop doing, what to start doing, and what to continue doing. It's effective for generating actionable insights and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

When to use Stop, Start, Continue

Use this method at the end of a project, sprint, or significant event to gather feedback on team processes and identify concrete actions for future improvements. It's particularly useful when you need a quick and focused retrospective.

What it solves

Lack of clear action items following retrospectives, vague feedback that doesn't lead to change.

How to run Stop, Start, Continue, step by step

  1. Introduce the activity (2 minutes). Explain the categories: 'Stop' (things to discontinue), 'Start' (new things to implement), and 'Continue' (things that are working well).
  2. Individual Brainstorming (5-7 minutes). Each participant silently brainstorms and writes down ideas for each category on sticky notes.
  3. Share and Group (8-10 minutes). Participants take turns sharing their sticky notes, placing them on a whiteboard or virtual board under the appropriate category. Group similar ideas together.
  4. Discuss and Prioritize (5-8 minutes). As a group, discuss the themes that emerged and prioritize the most important actions for each category.

Materials needed

  • Sticky notes
  • Markers
  • Whiteboard or virtual whiteboard (Miro, Mural)
  • Timer

Facilitator tips

  • Encourage specific and actionable feedback.
  • Ensure all voices are heard, especially from quieter team members.
  • Focus the discussion on solutions and improvements, not blame.

Common pitfalls

  • Vague or generic feedback. Prompt participants to provide specific examples.
  • Domination by a few voices. Use a round-robin approach to ensure everyone contributes.
  • Lack of follow-through on action items. Assign owners and deadlines for each action item.

Variations

  • Use different categories, such as 'More of,' 'Less of,' 'Same as'.
  • Conduct the activity anonymously to encourage more candid feedback.

Running it online or hybrid

Use a shared digital whiteboard like Miro or Mural to collect and group feedback. Ensure everyone has access and knows how to use the tools.

What it produces

A list of actionable items categorized under 'Stop,' 'Start,' and 'Continue'.

Origin

Attribution unavailable from source — source

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