Tightening the Feedback Loop

Tightening the Feedback Loop patrick.kua@thoughtworks.com http://www.thekua.com/atwork @patkua

Admit it

We like our feedback

it comes in many forms

Test Driven Development

??? Lo-Fi Prototypes

Information Radiators Yikes!

Hmm Continuous Integration

Sometimes it’s less conventional...

Feedback Checklist Technical & Code Practices Team Practices Process Practices Interpersonal Practices

We can get better at... Giving Feedback

Giving effective feedback should...

Strengthen Confidence or Improve Effectiveness for the recipient

This is what it is normally like

Hey! I’d like to give you some feedback

What have I done?

Or maybe, it arrives like this

I can’t take it anymore!

Feedback Retrospective Prime Directive Regardless of what we discover, we understand and truly believe that everyone did the best job they could, given what they knew at the time, their skills and abilities, the resources available, and the situation at hand.

Some rules...

Rule #1

Give feedback earlier

Feedback Time Event 1 Event 2 Event 3 Situations to describe - Performance reviews - When working in teams - repeat occurences

Feedback Feedback Feedback Time Event 1 Event 2 Event 3

Rule #2

Create Safety

Give feedback in private Stories to tell - Open plan ofﬁces - Parable of the pair, “Iʼm going to give you some feedback!”

Ask if you can give feedback

“Can I give you some feedback?” “Is now a good time?”

Rule #3

Focus on Behaviours

“You hate pairing” “I can’t work with you anymore” “You think you’re so good!”

Behaviours Attitude Values

“You hate pairing” “I can’t work with you anymore” “Yesterday, when we paired on that story, you laughed at my suggestion on doing X. I felt quite upset and belittled” “You think you’re so good!”

<Specific time> “Yesterday, when we paired on that story, you laughed at my suggestion on doing X. I felt quite upset and belittled” <Observed behaviour> <Perceived Impact>

Feedback Formula <Specific time> <Observed behaviour> <Perceived Impact> [Suggested Solution]

Rule #4

Not Too Much

First you ignored what I said And then... And then you shook your fist And then you said that And then... And then you raised your voice And then... And then... And then... And then... And then...

Rule #5

Make it a conversation

Feedback Formula <Specific time> <Observed behaviour> <Perceived Impact> [Suggested Solution]

Feedback Formula <Specific time> <Observed behaviour> <Perceived Impact> “Let’s discuss!” [Suggested Solution]

We can get better at... Receiving Giving Feedback

This is why you don’t get much feedback

I should talk to them about this...

But I don’t know how they’ll react

Maybe I’ll see how it goes

Break the cycle

Nobody gives me feedback

Rule #1

Ask for feedback

Rule #2

Don’t Defend

And then... But... And then... But... And then... But... And then... But...

Rule #3

Seek Clarifications

Feedback Formula <Specific time> <Observed behaviour> <Perceived Impact> Solution

Rule #4

Say thanks

Rule #5

Take Action

Phew...

(recap)

Giving Feedback

Give feedback earlier Create safety Focus on behaviours Not too much Make it a conversation Giving Feedback Receiving

Give feedback earlier Create safety Focus on behaviours Not too much Make it a conversation Giving Feedback Receiving Ask for feedback Don’t defend Seek clarifications Say thanks Take action

Giving Feedback Receiving

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Now...

Do you have any feedback for me? (or maybe just some questions?) @patkua

Shared under the Creative Commons licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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Tightening the Feedback Loop

by Patrick Kua on Nov 10, 2010

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