Keep Stop Start

Keep, Stop, Start is one of the best tools I use with clients, groups or one-on-one. It will give you immediate feedback on:

• What should we keep doing?
• What should we stop doing?
• What should we start doing?

Here's the facilitation process (group setting):

1. Have everyone count off by three: group 1 = Keep, group 2 = Stop, group 3 = Start
2. Give each group 10 minutes (+/-) to list as many items as possible on their flip-chart (they only do their assigned Keep, Stop, or Start... not all three).
3. Reunite the team and give each small group three minutes to present their work immediately followed by two minutes of discussion (from the other participants) to make changes (i.e. add something originally overlooked)
4. After each group has presented and updated their list, give everyone nine stickers.
5. Within two minutes have each participant "vote" (using their stickers) for items listed within the Keeps, Stops, and Starts; three stickers per category.
6. Tally the stickers to identify the top five to seven priorities within each grouping and post, in no particular order, on three new flip charts.
7. By this point, you should have three fresh flip-charts on the wall containing the top five to seven Keeps, Stops, and Starts.
8. Hold another nine minute conversation, three minutes each category, to discuss these priorities. Ask questions like: Why are they there? What about each makes them a priority? How would things be different if we kept, stopped, or started X item?
9. Distribute six additional stickers to each participant. Give them another two minutes to vote for their top Keeps, Stops, and Starts.
10. Tally the stickers and create the final list, in ranking order, of their Keeps, Stops, and Starts.

Depending on the purpose of the program, you then can move forward to create a plan around the top three Keeps, Stops, and Starts.

What would be the impact if you did this with your family? What would your children want you to keep doing, stop doing, and start doing? Rather than guess... ask.

How could you, personally, benefit from doing this activity for yourself? In your own life, what should you keep doing, stop doing, and start doing? Rather than guess... do it.