The document discusses the concept of feedback loops, particularly in the context of traffic regulation and behavioral changes. It highlights the Garden Grove experiment where dynamic speed displays led to a significant reduction in speeding by providing real-time feedback to drivers. The document emphasizes the importance of using emotional and relevant data to influence behavior and improve outcomes.

1. 1
HARNESSING
THE POWER OF
FEEDBACK LOOPS

2. 2
WHICH DO You think works to slow down drivers?
FEEDBACK LOOPS
CONTROL GIVE CONTROL

3. 3
The garden grove Experiment
FEEDBACK LOOPS
BACKGROUND
IN 2003 Officials in Garden
Grove, California Drivers
were speeding in school
zones and increasing traffic
incidents
Source: Harnessing the power of feedback loops by Thomas Goetz : Wired
REACTION
Local authorities tried new
speed limit signs, began
ticketing speeding motorists,
etc. The accident trends
continued
SPEED DISPLAYS
City engineers put up
dynamic speed displays that
displayed current speed with
no punitive follow ups
RESULT
Drivers slowed down an
average of 14%. Over the
years these signs have
managed to slow down
driver speeds by 10%

4. 4
The information must illuminate
one or more paths ahead
CONSEQUENCE
Individual recalibrates behavior
and data is measured and
displayed again
ACTION
Relay the data to the individual in
a way that makes it emotionally
resonant.
RELEVANCE
Data is measured, captured and
stored.
EVIDENCE
Feedback loops: Provide people with information about their actions in real time (or something close to it), then give them an
opportunity to change those actions, pushing them toward better behaviors.
Basic principles
FEEDBACK LOOPS
Source: Harnessing the power of feedback loops by Thomas Goetz : Wired

5. 5
Move to a point which is
equidistant from your two
partners. Do this with no talking
WAIT FOR A SIGNAL
Stand in a circle with your
number held in front of your so
others can see.
ASSEMBLE IN A CIRCLE
Continue moving until all players
are equidistant from each other
and stop moving.
CONTINUE
Randomly choose two numbers
of two other players
CHOOSE TWO SECRET PARTNERS
The two will be your two
equidistant partners. Do not tell
anyone who they are
EQUIDISTANT PARTNERS
Pick a numbered index card from
the pile
PICK ANY CARD
AN EXPERIMENT: Connections game circle
FEEDBACK LOOPS
Source: Carbon cycle feedback loops – Carleton.edu

6. 6
DISCUSSION: Connections game circle
FEEDBACK LOOPS
Source: Carbon cycle feedback loops – Carleton.edu
Think of the people in the circle as a complex system
• How did the system behave when you tried to stay equidistant from your
two secret partners?
• After destabilizing, did the system eventually reach equilibrium?

7. 7
What happens when you amplify feedback loops?
FEEDBACK LOOPS
Source: The Phoneix Project book by Gene Kim

8. 8
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU AMPLIFY FEEDBACK LOOPS?
FEEDBACK LOOPS

9. 9
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU AMPLIFY FEEDBACK LOOPS?
FEEDBACK LOOPS
Source: Four key vectors closing DevOps feedback loops
Where do DevOps feedback loops come from
Where do DevOps feedback loops go