To Discuss
Collect the topics participants want to explore.
Example cards
- How can we reduce review turnaround time?
Keep in mind: Keep one clear question or topic per card.
Discussion, Team Learning
Lean Coffee Meeting Template
Let the group choose the agenda. Collect topics, vote on what matters, and move cards from To Discuss through Discussing to Discussed.
30–45 min3 columnsRemote friendly
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Interactive preview
See it in action
Drag example cards between columns or try voting to explore the format.
4 example cards · changes stay in this previewDrag cards between columns
To Discuss2
Collect the topics participants want to explore.
How can we reduce review turnaround time?
What did we learn from the last release?
Discussing1
Show the topic the group is currently exploring.
Which design-to-engineering handoff needs attention?
Discussed1
Keep completed topics and their conclusions visible.
Try a rotating reviewer and review the results next sprint.
The prompts behind the format
What goes in each column?
Use these prompts and example cards to start a focused conversation.
Discussing
Show the topic the group is currently exploring.
Example cards
- Which handoff between design and engineering needs attention?
Keep in mind: Keep one topic active so the conversation stays focused.
Discussed
Keep completed topics and their conclusions visible.
Example cards
- Try a rotating reviewer and check the results next sprint.
Keep in mind: Capture a conclusion before moving a topic here.
Timeline
How to run it
Lean Coffee takes about 30–45 min. Here's the flow.
5
01
Collect topics
Add one topic per card in To Discuss. Give each participant a chance to explain unclear cards.
5
02
Choose the order
Vote on the topics the group wants to explore and select the highest-priority starting point.
20
03
Discuss in timeboxes
Move one topic into Discussing. Use a separate timer and ask the group whether to continue or move on.
5
04
Capture outcomes
Record conclusions and action owners, then move completed topics to Discussed. Agree what to do with remaining topics.
Best practices
- ✓Give everyone a chance to propose topics.
- ✓Keep one topic in Discussing at a time.
- ✓Agree on a timebox and a simple continue-or-move-on signal.
- ✓Capture conclusions before moving a topic to Discussed.
Common mistakes
- ✗Letting one person set the entire agenda.
- ✗Assuming every proposed topic must be discussed.
- ✗Moving a card to Discussed without recording a conclusion.
About this template
What is a Lean Coffee meeting?
Lean Coffee is a participant-led meeting format. People suggest topics, prioritize them together, and discuss the topics the group wants to explore. It can support a retrospective, a community discussion, or a team learning session without requiring a fully prepared agenda.
The LetRetro template uses To Discuss, Discussing, and Discussed. Add one topic per card, vote to choose a starting point, and move the current topic into Discussing. When the group is ready to move on, capture any conclusion in the card or comments and move it to Discussed.
The facilitator manages discussion time and asks the group whether to continue a topic. LetRetro provides the board, card movement, and voting; this template does not add an automated discussion timer or a dedicated continue-or-move-on ballot. Use a separate timer and agree on a simple signal for that decision.
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Explore templateFAQ
Frequently asked questions
What are the Lean Coffee columns?
To Discuss contains proposed topics, Discussing shows the current topic, and Discussed holds completed topics and their conclusions.
Is Lean Coffee only for retrospectives?
No. It is a participant-led discussion format that can also support learning sessions, communities, and cross-team conversations.
Does LetRetro automatically time Lean Coffee discussions?
No. This template uses existing board cards, voting, and card movement. The facilitator uses a separate timer and manages decisions about continuing a topic.
Is the Lean Coffee template free?
Yes. Lean Coffee is a built-in template available on the Free plan, subject to board and member limits.
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