The Start-Stop-Continue retrospective is one of the most popular and effective frameworks for team retrospectives. This simple three-column format helps teams identify what to start doing, stop doing, and continue doing based on their recent work.
This template is perfect for teams who want a straightforward approach to continuous improvement without complex categorization. It's particularly effective for sprint retrospectives, project reviews, and regular team check-ins.
How It Works
The Start-Stop-Continue format divides feedback into three clear categories:
- Start: New practices, tools, or behaviors the team should adopt
- Stop: Current practices that are hindering progress or causing issues
- Continue: Existing practices that are working well and should be maintained
This structure encourages balanced feedback—teams celebrate what's working while identifying both improvements and things to eliminate.
How to facilitate
Facilitation Tips
- Time allocation: Allocate equal time to each column (about 10-15 minutes each for a 45-minute retro)
- Start with Continue: Begin with positive feedback to set a constructive tone
- Be specific: Encourage concrete examples rather than vague statements
- Action-oriented: Frame items in terms of actionable behaviors, not abstract concepts
- Vote on priorities: Use voting to identify the most impactful Start and Stop items
- Assign owners: For Start items, assign someone to champion the new practice
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Don't let the "Stop" column become a complaint session—focus on constructive change
- Avoid generic items like "communicate better"—be specific about what that means
- Don't skip the "Continue" column—acknowledging what works builds team morale
- Ensure Start items are realistic and achievable, not wishful thinking
When to use this template
When to Use Start-Stop-Continue
This template works exceptionally well for:
- Sprint retrospectives: After each sprint, identify what to start, stop, and continue
- Project post-mortems: Review completed projects to extract learnings
- Team health checks: Quarterly reviews of team processes and dynamics
- Process improvements: When teams want to refine their workflow
- New team onboarding: Help new team members understand what works
Example Outcomes
Teams using this format often discover:
- Hidden inefficiencies in their workflow
- Simple practices that make a big difference
- Tools or processes worth adopting
- Communication patterns that need adjustment
