Definition
Feedback is the transmission of evaluative or corrective information about an action, event, or process to the original or controlling source.
Feedback can be hard, especially if things are not going on well. But you know we human, and we must act in some way on the feedback giving or receiving.
I'll talk mostly about feedback in software development when working with a team.
Categories of feedback
Feedback is generally categorized into:
- Negative/Destructive feedback - Feedback regarding past behaviour that did not yield desired results or ended up worsening the situation.
- Positive/Constructive feedback - Feedback regarding past behaviour that ended up producing desired results or impacted the desired outcome positively
- Negative feedforward - Message that helps the subject avoid a few unwanted behaviours.
- Positive feedforward - Again, a prescriptive form of message that helps individuals achieve desired goals with a planned set of actions.
Types of Feedback
- Appreciation
- Encouragement
- Personal anecdotes
- Guidance
- Focus on the future
- Upward
- Negative/Criticism
ASK Feedback
I personally do love ASK feedback. But what's ASK feedback.
- A - Actionable - has an action that can be acted upon
- S - Specific - narrows down to a specific incident/action/goal
- K - Kind - delivered/received with a positive attitude, no negative emotion or anger.
So whenever you giving out feedback, make sure it's in an ASK format, that way it will help the recipient act on it very fast with positive energy.
Giving Feedback
This means you want to share some information with the other person/team. Things to consider:
- Your understanding of the subject matter. Do you know well what you talking about?
- Correctness. The information you give is correct or just a rumour. The information should be correct in grammar and the origin of the idea/info.
- Whom you address? is this information for everybody or for an individual. You using the right channel to address the right person/group.
- Consider ASK feedback. Giving feedback in an ASK format will save you a lot of troubles explaining further.
Receiving Feedback
This means you receiving information about something you involved in. Things to consider.
- You first of all remember/understand the something you involved in that you needed feedback.
- Understand the feedback shared.
- Keep a positive mindset while receiving feedback.
- If you don't understand the feedback, ask for clarification in ASK format.
- If you understand the feedback, respond positively to the feedback.
- if this is continuous feedback, be engaging.
Continuous feedback
When working on a long-term project or in one company, you would love to receive continuous feedback. This is the feedback that is started on one goal and is constructively implemented towards achieving that goal.
How to build a culture of continuous constructive feedback
- Communicate your vision and goals
- Share the purpose of continuous feedback. Mostly is to manage and improve the performance of an individual.
- Keep it positive
- Be consistent on the tools and process you use to communicate feedback
- Be accountable for the feedback you receive and share
- Learn and implement the best practices of giving and receiving continuous feedback.
When can I receive or give feedback in software development
There are different ways you can receive feedback when working in a software development team. Some include:
- Feedback on priorities
- Feedback on design
- Feedback on working software
- Feedback on code