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KALM (Keep, Add, Less, More) retrospective template

Run a KALM retrospective (Keep, Add, Less, More) online for free. Fine-tune team habits with hidden cards and no sign-up.

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Opens a new board with these columns, right in your browser.

What is the KALM (Keep, Add, Less, More) retrospective?

KALM stands for Keep, Add, Less, More. Instead of a binary start or stop, it lets the team adjust the dial: keep what works, add something new, do less of one thing and more of another. That nuance suits mature teams whose practices are mostly fine and need tuning rather than overhaul.

The columns

  1. Keep
  2. Add
  3. Less
  4. More

When to use it

Use KALM when the team is in a steady state, when Start, Stop, Continue feels too blunt, or when discussing practices like meetings, code review or pairing that nobody wants to drop entirely.

How to run it in Peel in 5 steps

  1. Create a KALM board in Peel and share the link with the team.
  2. Write for six minutes. Ask people to name a concrete practice on each card ("more pairing on unfamiliar code", not "better collaboration").
  3. Reveal and group. Watch for the same practice appearing in both Less and More: that is your most interesting discussion.
  4. Vote across the board and discuss the top cards, deciding how much to turn each dial.
  5. Record two or three actions and note what you will keep, so the team protects it.
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Frequently asked questions

How is KALM different from Starfish?

Starfish adds Start and Stop to Keep, More and Less. KALM drops Stop and uses Add instead of Start, which keeps the tone positive and incremental.

Is KALM good for a first retro?

It works, but Start, Stop, Continue is simpler for teams that have never run a retro.

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