Start Stop Continue Retrospective: Complete Guide
Master the most popular retrospective format and drive meaningful team improvement with structured reflection
The Start Stop Continue retrospective is one of the most popular and effective formats for team reflection. Its simplicity makes it accessible to teams of all experience levels, while its structure ensures comprehensive coverage of what is working, what is not, and what needs to change.
Whether you are new to retrospectives or looking to improve your existing practices, this guide will help you master the Start Stop Continue format and use it to drive meaningful team improvement.
What is Start Stop Continue?
Start Stop Continue is a simple three-column retrospective format that helps teams reflect on their work and identify specific improvements. it is based on the idea that continuous improvement comes from three types of changes:
Start
New practices, processes, or behaviors the team should begin doing
Examples:
- Daily code reviews
- Pair programming sessions
- Weekly team lunches
- Automated testing
Stop
Practices, processes, or behaviors the team should discontinue
Examples:
- Long, unproductive meetings
- Working late nights
- Last-minute requirement changes
- Interrupting during standups
Continue
Practices, processes, or behaviors the team should keep doing
Examples:
- Daily standups
- Code documentation
- Regular retrospectives
- Team collaboration
Why Start Stop Continue Works
- Simple and Clear: Easy to understand and implement for teams of any experience level
- Comprehensive: Covers all aspects of team improvement in a structured way
- Actionable: Results in specific, concrete actions the team can take
- Balanced: Encourages both positive reinforcement and constructive change
- Time-Efficient: Can be completed in 30-60 minutes
How to Facilitate a Start Stop Continue Retrospective
Follow this step-by-step process to run an effective Start Stop Continue retrospective:
1. Set the Stage (5-10 minutes)
Create a safe, open environment for honest discussion.
Activities:
- Welcome everyone and explain the format
- Establish ground rules for respectful discussion
- Remind team that it is about processes, not people
- Set expectations for participation
- Use an icebreaker to warm up the group
2. Individual Reflection (10-15 minutes)
Give team members time to think individually before group discussion.
Instructions:
- Distribute sticky notes or digital tools
- Ask team to write down items for each column
- Encourage specific, actionable items
- Remind them to focus on the last sprint/period
- Allow time for quiet reflection
3. Group Sharing (20-30 minutes)
Share and discuss items as a group, organizing them on a board or wall.
Process:
- Go through each column one at a time
- Have each person share their items
- Group similar items together
- Discuss and clarify each item
- Ask questions to understand context
4. Prioritization and Voting (10-15 minutes)
Identify the most important items to focus on for the next sprint.
Methods:
- Use dot voting to prioritize items
- Focus on 2-3 items per column maximum
- Consider impact vs. effort for each item
- Ensure items are within team control
- Get team consensus on priorities
5. Action Planning (10-15 minutes)
Create specific action items with owners and deadlines.
Action Items:
- Assign owners to each selected item
- Set specific deadlines or milestones
- Define success criteria for each item
- Identify any resources or support needed
- Document all commitments clearly
Best Practices for Start Stop Continue
These proven practices can significantly improve the effectiveness of your Start Stop Continue retrospectives:
Do's
Focus on specific, actionable items
Encourage equal participation from all team members
Use concrete examples and data when possible
Focus on processes and practices, not people
Follow up on action items in future retrospectives
Don'ts
Allow vague or general statements
Let one person dominate the discussion
Focus on problems without solutions
Select too many action items to implement
Ignore or dismiss team member input
Common Challenges and Solutions
Even experienced teams can face challenges with Start Stop Continue retrospectives. Here are common issues and how to address them:
Empty or Vague Items
Team members struggle to come up with specific, actionable items
Solution: Provide examples, ask probing questions, use data from the sprint, and encourage team members to think about specific situations or incidents
Unequal Participation
Some team members contribute more than others
Solution: Use round-robin sharing, ask direct questions, create smaller discussion groups, and follow up privately with quieter team members
Too Many Action Items
Team selects more items than they can realistically implement
Solution: Limit to 2-3 items per column, use voting to prioritize, consider impact vs. effort, and start with smaller, achievable changes
No Follow-Through
Action items are identified but never implemented
Solution: Assign clear owners and deadlines, check progress in daily standups, start with smaller changes, and celebrate successes
Negative Atmosphere
Retrospective becomes a complaint session
Solution: Start with positive items, focus on solutions, use appreciative inquiry, and address team conflicts separately
Variations and Adaptations
While the basic Start Stop Continue format is effective, you can adapt it to meet your team's specific needs:
Start Stop Continue More
Add a fourth column for items to do more of or increase frequency.
Columns:
- Start: New practices to begin
- Stop: Practices to discontinue
- Continue: Practices to keep doing
- More: Practices to do more frequently
Start Stop Continue Less
Add a fourth column for items to do less of or reduce frequency.
Columns:
- Start: New practices to begin
- Stop: Practices to discontinue
- Continue: Practices to keep doing
- Less: Practices to do less frequently
Start Stop Continue Improve
Add a fourth column for items to improve or enhance.
Columns:
- Start: New practices to begin
- Stop: Practices to discontinue
- Continue: Practices to keep doing
- Improve: Practices to enhance or refine
Themed Retrospectives
Focus on specific areas like communication, tools, or processes.
Examples:
- Communication: Start/Stop/Continue for team communication
- Tools: Start/Stop/Continue for development tools
- Processes: Start/Stop/Continue for workflow processes
- Meetings: Start/Stop/Continue for meeting practices
Leveraging Technology for Start Stop Continue
Modern tools can significantly enhance your Start Stop Continue retrospectives. Scrumrobo provides comprehensive support:
How Scrumrobo Enhances Start Stop Continue
Template Management
Pre-built Start Stop Continue templates with customizable columns
Digital Collaboration
Real-time collaboration tools for distributed teams
Voting and Prioritization
Built-in voting tools to prioritize action items
Action Item Tracking
Systematic tracking and follow-up on commitments
Progress Analytics
Visual insights into team improvement trends over time
Integration
Seamless integration with sprint planning and daily standups
Ready to Master Start Stop Continue?
Transform your team's retrospectives with Scrumrobo's comprehensive Start Stop Continue tools. Get started today and drive meaningful team improvement.