RetroLift / Retrospective templates / Start - Stop - Continue
Start - Stop - Continue template: free online board
Start, Stop, Continue asks three plain questions about how the team works: what should we begin doing, what should we drop, and what is worth keeping? It is the easiest format to explain and it turns naturally into actions.
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When to use it
- A team new to retrospectives
- A short retro of 30 to 45 minutes
- After a process change, to decide what stays
What goes in each column
Start
What should we try that we are not doing yet?
Stop
What costs us more than it gives back?
Continue
What is working and would be a shame to lose?
How to run it
- Set the scene. Remind everyone of the goal and agree that this is about the work, not about blame.
- Write in silence. Everyone adds cards on their own, so quieter people are heard.
- Group and vote. Merge similar cards, then vote on what matters most.
- Discuss. Start with the most-voted cards and work down.
- Agree on actions. Finish with a small number of actions, each with an owner and a date.
Watch out for
The Stop column can read as criticism of a person. Write about the habit or the process, never the individual.
Use this template free →
Warm up first with a free team game.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Start - Stop - Continue template free?
Yes. You can run it on RetroLift for free, with no account and no ads. Your team joins from one link or QR code.
How long does a Start - Stop - Continue retrospective take?
Plan on 45 to 60 minutes for a team of up to about ten people. Smaller teams can finish sooner.
Can a remote team use Start - Stop - Continue?
Yes. Everyone writes cards from their own laptop or phone, votes, and agrees on action items on the same live board.
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