Starfish Retrospective

Starfish Retrospective

The fascinating world of marine life offers more than just beauty; it provides insights into team reflections. Drawing inspiration from the Starfish, with its five eyes on each of its legs, we have the Starfish retrospective format. While it shares similarities with the Start, Stop, Continue format, Starfish delves deeper, capturing a broader spectrum of team sentiments.

The Starfish format introduces two additional columns: Less of and More of. These additions ensure that no feedback falls through the cracks. Instead of merely stopping a practice, perhaps it just needs to be toned down a bit. This nuance makes the Starfish format especially valuable for larger teams, extended sessions, or situations where diverse perspectives are anticipated.

For those curious about its origins, the Starfish format was introduced by Patrick Kua. You can delve into his thoughts on the format in his Starfish post.

When to Choose Starfish

The Starfish format shines when teams are looking for a more nuanced approach to feedback. If your team has been conducting retrospectives for a while and feels that some feedback doesn't fit neatly into the traditional categories, Starfish offers that added depth. It's especially beneficial for larger teams or sessions where a diverse range of perspectives is anticipated, ensuring that every piece of feedback, whether it's about refining a practice or amplifying it, finds its rightful place.

👍 Keep Doing

What great things are we doing that we should continue?

This column is all about appreciation. It's where the team acknowledges practices that are working well and should be maintained. It's a nod to the positive strides the team is making.

⚠️ Less Of

What practices could be improved?

Not everything needs to be discarded. Some practices might be beneficial in smaller doses. This section allows the team to discuss what's overdone and could be scaled back for better results.

✅ More Of

What practices have potential if they were more widely adopted?

Here, the team can spotlight practices that show promise. Maybe it's a new approach that's been tested on a small scale and is ready for a broader rollout. This column encourages expansion of what's budding.

🚫 Stop Doing

What isn't working at all and should be dropped?

This is the space for candid feedback. It's about identifying what's not adding value or might even be detrimental. It's a call for change, ensuring the team doesn't remain stuck in unproductive routines.

🚀 Start Doing

What are some new ideas that we might do well to try?

Innovation is the lifeblood of progress. This column is an open invitation for fresh ideas, new strategies, and innovative approaches. It's about looking forward and embracing change.

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The Starfish retrospective format is a testament to the idea that sometimes, inspiration can come from the most unexpected places. By offering a nuanced approach to feedback, it ensures that teams have a comprehensive view of their performance, paving the way for meaningful improvements.

Start a Starfish Retro View all retro templates

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Starfish retrospective template?

The Starfish retrospective template is a five-category feedback format (Keep Doing, Less of, More of, Stop Doing, Start Doing) that captures nuanced team sentiment. Created by Patrick Kua, Starfish adds "More of" and "Less of" categories to the traditional Start-Stop-Continue format, ensuring no feedback falls through the cracks. This nuance makes Starfish ideal for mature teams who need to express that some practices aren't completely broken - they just need adjustment.

When should you use the Starfish retrospective template?

Use the Starfish template when your team has outgrown simpler formats and needs more granular feedback options. It's particularly effective for larger teams (8+ people) with diverse perspectives, after extended project phases where practices have evolved, or when you notice team members struggling to fit feedback into binary "start/stop" categories. Starfish shines when teams need to discuss scaling practices up or down rather than eliminating them entirely.

How do you run a Starfish retrospective meeting effectively?

To run an effective Starfish retrospective, follow these steps:

• Set the stage - Use a mood check-in to gauge team sentiment, then explain the five categories (Keep, Less of, More of, Stop, Start)
• Brainstorm - Give 10 minutes for individual brainstorming with icebreaker music. Team members add items to the five columns anonymously for psychological safety
• Group and sort - Group and sort similar items together
• Discuss and vote - Review grouped items and vote to prioritize changes. Help the team distinguish "Less of" from "Stop" - it's about dialing back, not eliminating
• Create action items - For top-voted items, assign owners and set deadlines. Focus on "More of" and "Less of" for quick wins through practice optimization
• Share summary - Export and share the retro summary with the team

The session typically takes 60-90 minutes as five categories generate more discussion.

What makes a good Starfish retrospective discussion?

Good Starfish discussions leverage the format's nuance:

• More of - Identify successful practices ready to scale
• Less of - Pinpoint well-intentioned practices that have become excessive
• Keep Doing - Celebrate stable practices
• Stop Doing - Target clear waste
• Start Doing - Introduce innovation

The magic happens in "More/Less of" - these prevent throwing out good practices just because they need adjustment. Help the team see gradations, not just extremes.

How is Starfish different from Start Stop Continue?

Starfish extends Start Stop Continue by adding "More of" and "Less of" categories, providing five perspectives instead of three. While Start Stop Continue forces binary decisions (start it or stop it), Starfish acknowledges that many practices need tuning, not elimination. This makes Starfish more sophisticated but also more time-consuming. Use Start Stop Continue for newer teams or quick retrospectives; use Starfish when your team needs to express nuanced feedback that doesn't fit binary choices.

What are the benefits of using the Starfish retrospective template?

The Starfish template offers key benefits:

• Nuanced feedback - Five categories capture gradations that simpler formats miss
• Scaling guidance - More/Less of help optimize existing practices
• Comprehensive coverage - No feedback gets lost
• Psychological safety - Less of is gentler than Stop, encouraging honesty

Starfish is particularly valuable for mature teams who have outgrown binary thinking and need to fine-tune their practices rather than overhaul them.

What are some alternatives to the Starfish retrospective template?

If you're looking for different retrospective formats and templates, consider these alternatives:

• Start Stop Continue - When Starfish's five categories feel overwhelming and binary choices are sufficient
• DAKI retrospective - When you need decisive action rather than gradual tuning of practices
• Sailboat retrospective - When creative metaphors unlock insights that direct categories miss

Starfish remains best for teams needing to express practice adjustments beyond simple start/stop.