The Start–Stop–Continue exercise is a simple yet powerful feedback and continuous-improvement tool. It helps teams reflect on their work and identify specific actions or processes to adjust moving forward. The framework is designed to promote collective and constructive team dialogue and actionable steps.
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Preparing for This Activity
- Anticipated Duration: 30–60 minute
- Preparation Level: Low to Mid
- Suitable for: In person and remote meetings
- Materials:
- Flipchart and/or shared doc
- Markers
- Sticky notes
- Sticker dots
Roadmap
Frame the conversation by explaining that today we are going to engage in an exercise to cultivate the following.
- Continuous improvement
- This method gives teams a structured way to reflect on what is working and what is not. It reinforces the idea that improvement is an ongoing, collaborative process.
- Clear, actionable outcomes moving forward
- Rather than vague feedback, the categories prompt concrete steps.
- What should we start doing?
- What should we stop?
- What should we continue?
- Rather than vague feedback, the categories prompt concrete steps.
- Stronger team alignment
- The exercise surfaces mismatched expectations and aligns the group on shared priorities, goals, and behaviors.
- Accountability
- The exercise co-creates a documented plan that can be revisited and measured over time.
Instructions
This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
1. Pre-work (5–10 minutes)
- Define the context: specific project, team process, operations, or behavior focus.
- Prepare materials: flipcharts, sticky notes, markers, or virtual whiteboard.
- Share the purpose and expectations with participants in advance, if possible.
- Good opportunity to identify the Working Intentions for this exercise.
2. Welcome and set expectations (5 minutes)
Frame the purpose with this statement:
“Today we are doing a Start–Stop–Continue exercise to help us identify what actions or behaviors will help us work more effectively and efficiently as a team. The goal is to learn and improve together, identify opportunities for improvement, and recognize strengths.”
3. Explain the framework (3 minutes)
- Start → New actions or behaviors that would improve performance.
- Stop → Actions or behaviors that create friction, create barriers, or no longer add value.
- Continue → Actions or behaviors that work well and should be reinforced.
4. Individual reflection (5–10 minutes)
Ask participants to independently jot down ideas for each category.
- Tip: Encourage specificity. For example, “Communicate better” is vague. “Share agendas 24 hours in advance” is actionable.
5. Group collection of ideas (10–15 minutes)
Options:
- Invite individuals to add sticky notes to each category — Start, Stop, Continue — on the wall.
- Collect responses in a shared document or virtual board.
- Group similar items and patterns together.
6. Discussion and Prioritization (15–20 minutes)
Guide the conversation by working through each category.
- Clarify ambiguous contributions.
- Identify themes.
- Prioritize high-impact actions.
To encourage discussion, ask:
- “What stands out?”
- “What would make the biggest practical difference?”
- “What can we act on immediately?”
7. Create the action plan (10–15 minutes)
For each chosen item, define:
- The action
- Owner(s)
- Timeline
- How success will be measured
Tip: Aim for 1–3 items in each category to avoid overload.
8. Close the session (2–3 minutes)
Summarize key takeaways and confirm next steps.
9. Follow-up (after the session)
- Share a written summary with team.
- Check in at the next team meeting:
- What has been completed? What needs adjustment?
- Repeat the exercise quarterly or after major milestones.
Closing Thoughts
- Consider silent “brainwriting.” Invite participants to write ideas individually/anonymously to avoid group thinking, make space for quieter voices, and generate ideas faster. Manage time by asking team members to bring ideas to the exercise.
- Reverse brainstorm. Put a creative twist on this exercise and think deeper.
- Prompt examples:
- What should we definitely not start?
- What might we accidentally stop that would be harmful?
- What could prevent us from continuing something that’s working?
- Prompt examples:
- Start–Stop–Continue PLUS. (Add a fourth category) to expand the conversation while keeping the structure simple.
- Add a bonus category:
- Consider: ideas to explore later
- Questions uncertainties or gaps
- Appreciations gratitude, shoutouts
- Barriers things blocking progress
- Add a bonus category: