Start, Stop, Continue
Why do it? Determine how the group is going with three simple questions.
Time: 30 minutes
Group or Individual: Group Activity
Overview
This activity is often used in business and on functional teams to gather feedback, improve a situation, or work through a process. In the classroom, it can be used for those and several other purposes as well. This activity can be especially useful with groups throughout a group project to determine how things are going, bring all the unspoken issues and successes to the forefront for purposeful discussion, and determine clear actions for moving forward.
Directions
Note: This activity may be done in small groups or as a whole class, depending on the topic of discussion and the goal.
- On a large piece of paper, create three columns with the headings "Start," "Stop," and "Continue."
- Ask participants to spend five minutes creating sticky notes – one idea per sticky – responding to the question: "What should we start doing?"
- After time has passed, each person shares what they wrote and posts them in the "Start" column.
Note: you may consider using the Theme Sort strategy as participants post their stickies.
- Ask participants to spend five minutes creating sticky notes – one idea per sticky – responding to the question: "What should we stop doing?"
- After time has passed, each person shares what they wrote and posts them in the "Stop" column.
- Ask participants to spend five minutes creating sticky notes – one idea per sticky – responding to the question: "What should we continue doing?"
- After time has passed, each person shares what they wrote and posts them in the "Continue" column.
- Spend about five minutes talking through what was brought up and reflecting on the collective input of all the members.
Note: In a virtual space? No worries. Use a virtual whiteboard, slides, or a simple shared document to facilitate and gather ideas.
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