Retree

Retro template

KALM: Keep, Add, Less, More

KALM asks for amounts rather than verdicts. Each card keeps a practice as it is or resizes it.

Start a KALM: Keep, Add, Less, More retroAll templates

Keep

What works?

  • Keep the Thursday release cadence
  • Keep the standup at 15 minutes

Add

What is missing?

  • Add a handover after each on-call week
  • Add a changelog check to releases

Less

What should shrink?

  • Less refinement: 45 minutes, not 90
  • Less work in progress: 2 tickets each

More

What should grow?

  • More pairing on unfamiliar code
  • More pull requests under 200 lines
  • 4 lanesPrefilled the moment you start.
  • Writing timer 8 minSuggested for the preparation stage.
  • Best forTeams whose process works and needs tuning.

How it runs

  1. Preparation

    Everyone writes in private for 8 minutes.

  2. Grouping

    Group the Less and More cards on one practice.

  3. Voting

    3 votes each decide which dials move this sprint.

  4. Discussion

    Read the paired Less and More cards together.

  5. Finished

    Every action item carries its number and an owner.

Column by column

  • Keep

    What works?

    Practices already the right size. A card here leaves something alone.

    • Keep the Thursday release cadence
    • Keep the standup at 15 minutes

  • Add

    What is missing?

    Something the team does not do yet, small enough to start next sprint.

    • Add a handover after each on-call week
    • Add a changelog check to releases

  • Less

    What should shrink?

    Work worth doing in smaller amounts. Name the size you want.

    • Less refinement: 45 minutes, not 90
    • Less work in progress: 2 tickets each

  • More

    What should grow?

    Practices the team wants more of. A number lets you check it later.

    • More pairing on unfamiliar code
    • More pull requests under 200 lines

Best for

  • Teams whose process works and needs tuning.
  • Retros where criticism has been landing badly.
  • Resizing meetings, batches or work in progress.
  • Teams deciding how much of last sprint to keep.

Pick another template when

Tips

  • Put a size on every Less and More card.
  • Add is the only lane that creates work. Cap it at 2 items.
  • Move at most 3 dials per retro, or you cannot tell what helped.

Questions

  • What does KALM stand for?

    4 lanes. Keep and Add cover what to leave alone and what is missing.

  • How is KALM different from Starfish?

    Starfish adds Start and Stop. KALM folds Start into Add and drops Stop.

  • What if something has to stop?

    KALM has no stop lane. Write a Less card with a target of zero.

  • How long does a KALM retro take?

    45 minutes to an hour for a team of 5 to 8.

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