Retree

Retro template

Start, Stop, Continue

3 lanes turn a sprint into proposals. Start a practice, stop one or keep what already works.

Start a Start, Stop, Continue retroAll templates

Start

What should we begin doing?

  • Write the deploy steps into the pull request
  • Add a smoke test before every release

Stop

What should we stop doing?

  • Stop letting standup run past 15 minutes
  • Stop merging on Friday afternoon

Continue

What should we keep doing?

  • Keep Tuesday refinement; no ticket arrived underspecified
  • Keep rotating the on-call review
  • 3 lanesPrefilled the moment you start.
  • Writing timer 7 minSuggested for the preparation stage.
  • Best forTeams that want changes they can start on Monday.

How it runs

  1. Preparation

    Set 7 minutes. Everyone writes into all 3 lanes at once.

  2. Grouping

    Drag duplicates together lane by lane, then name each group.

  3. Voting

    Everyone has 3 votes. Spread them across the lanes.

  4. Discussion

    Retree queues groups by votes. Settle an owner and a date.

  5. Finished

    The recap lists each discussed group with its votes and owners.

Column by column

  • Start

    What should we begin doing?

    One change the team could make next sprint. Keep it small and inside the team's own control.

    • Write the deploy steps into the pull request
    • Add a smoke test before every release

  • Stop

    What should we stop doing?

    Name something that costs more than it gives. Aim at the practice rather than the person.

    • Stop letting standup run past 15 minutes
    • Stop merging on Friday afternoon

  • Continue

    What should we keep doing?

    Protect what works. Name the practice and the effect it had, so the card reads as evidence.

    • Keep Tuesday refinement; no ticket arrived underspecified
    • Keep rotating the on-call review

Best for

  • Teams that want changes they can start on Monday.
  • A first retro with a new team.
  • Ordinary sprints where the question is what to adjust.
  • Short sessions of 30 to 45 minutes.

Pick another template when

Tips

  • Write proposals, not verdicts. "Stop being careless" cannot be acted on.
  • Keep Continue honest: a practice only one person carried is a Start card.
  • Cap it at 2 or 3 action items per retro.

Questions

  • What is the Start, Stop, Continue retrospective?

    A 3-lane retro where the team names what to begin doing and what to drop.

  • How long does the retro take?

    30 to 45 minutes for 5 or 6 people, with 7 minutes of writing.

  • How many cards should each person write?

    2 or 3 per lane is plenty. Past about 40 cards the board gets hard to group.

  • Can we run it anonymously?

    Yes. Retree creates every retro with anonymous cards on.

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