The Keep, Start, Stop Method
What’s working in your business…and what needs improvement? The best way to address these questions is with full team involvement and perspectives, but sometimes it’s difficult to get everyone to speak up. You can get input flowing and maybe even hear something that surprises or inspires you with help from the Keep, Start, Stop Method.
What is the Keep, Start, Stop Method?
The Keep, Start, Stop method is a straightforward way to gather feedback and improve things. It asks people to think about three areas: what’s working well that they want to keep, new ideas or actions they’d like to start, and things that aren’t helpful or productive and should be stopped. It’s a simple, practical way to figure out what’s working, what could be better, and what to let go of. It also ensures everyone gets their chance for input.
How does the Keep, Start, Stop Method work?
On a whiteboard or giant poster, write “Keep,” “Start,” and “Stop” in 3 individual columns at the top. Add in rows for each major annual cycle, event, campaign, etc. Give each team member a pad of sticky notes and a sharpie. If you can give each team member a different color sticky note pad, that’s even better. Now it’s everyone’s task to consider what to keep, start, and stop doing for each topic. Have them add their sticky notes to each column as they fill them out. It should start to look something like this (except each sticky note will have suggestions written on it):
Now go through each topic and read what the team contributed. Sometimes you’ll find consensus, other times discord, leading to some great conversations. Make sure you capture important feedback and notes for reference when it’s time to plan for the year or quarter ahead.
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