Giving and Receiving Feedback

Week 5

What is the Goal of Critique?

Self improvementEffective CollaborationLearning from ChallengesBetter Project OutcomesInspiration, New IdeasGrowth = Higher Levels of

Achievement

Effective Critique – Useful

“I Love It!”

Nice, but uselessIt is important that your feedback inform in a valuable way. Specific areas to address may include :

ColorUsability/readability

OriginalityConsistencyStyle/voice

Applicability

“I Hate It!”

Not nice, but useless

Effective CritiqueCritique has two main parts:

1. Measurement

2. Feedback/Information

Effective Critique - #1 Measurement• What is the intent of the person – what are

they trying to do/achieve?

“If you show me a frying pan you made, and I criticize it for not playing MP3 files, there is a mismatch of intention in what we are trying to measure and evaluate” -Scott Berkun

Effective Critique - #1 Measurement

If the intention of the work is clear“I want to fry eggs.”

It becomes possible to offer good feedback

Effective Critique - #2 FeedbackThere is more than one viewpoint of how good/bad something is.

“Good criticism generally comes with some degree of humility and respect for the possibility of other equally valid points of view. The better the critic, the more holistic their sense of how their own perspectives and tastes fit into the diverse pool of informed opinion of others” -Scott Berkun

The Interview

Honesty.

I don’t think honesty is a weakness.

I don’t care what you think.

What would you say is your biggest weakness?

Effective Critique - #2 Feedback

There is NOT a relationship between your personal preferences and whether or not something is good or bad.

Being objective and analytic will result in the best and most useful feedback*

*Though a viewpoint from your particular area of expertise may be welcome – if relevant! THIS IS A TRAP!

Love it? Hate it?

Process of Giving Feedback

• Make sure venue is correct for type of feedback (“safe space”)

• Ensure the right people are giving feedback

• Offer useful feedback in an appropriate way

Process of Giving Feedback

Appropriate Feedback is:Relevant – Related to measurementTimely – When changes can still be made Specific – Offers suggestions and ideas Positive – Focus on what it is vs. what it isn’t

Avoid statements that are ‘absolute’

Use an “PNP Sandwich”Followed up – Clarify, and offer support

“PNP Sandwich”

(Make sure the feedback is sincere)

Giving Feedback - Review(First, Be Asked, or Ask!)

• Establish intent/know how to measure• Make sure people/venue are correct for type of feedback

– “Safe space”• Gain objectivity

– Focus on observation/description rather than judgment– Avoid emotion

• Offer useful feedback in an appropriate way– What it is vs. what it isn’t– PNP Sandwich– Avoid statement that are ‘absolute’

• Clarify (if necessary)• Offer support

Receiving Feedback1.) Be Goal-oriented

Remember the objective

Ask the right people for the feedback you need

2.)Be there to learnCheck your ego

Don’t be defensive

Ask clarifying questions

Receiving Feedback• LISTEN

– Don’t use words to defend a design – it should stand on its own!

– Don’t get defensive. Remain open to alternatives.– Don’t make excuses

• Ask clarifying questions– “When you say the user won’t be able to understand the

design, can you show me what you mean?”

• Ask for specific changes– “Good point. What can I do to change that?”

Receiving Feedback - Review• Ask the right partner

– Ask for feedback early! (*WARNING)

• LISTEN– Do not try to defend– Be open to alternative views and ideas

• Ask clarifying questions• Remember the intent

– What was the goal of seeking feedback? The project goal?(Is the feedback relevant to these?)

• Request specifics• Thank the person for their feedback• “Return to Calm”

(*NEXT SLIDE)

Client/Mgmt Feedback, vs. Work-in-Progress Feedback

(*WARNING) There is a difference between a critique of work-in-process and a design review!

The purpose of critique is to understand the design of a product and to help the creator improve it by giving them more information.

The purpose of a design review is sign-off and often results in a list of specified changes.

Client/Mgmt Feedback, vs. Work-in-Progress Feedback

Sometimes management may not understand the concept of showing unfinished work

Clients may be overwhelmed by multiple Concepts

Feedback during a design process is very helpful – but choose your critique partners wisely!

Project Design Critique in a Group*

• Define 3-5 specific criteria to address• Identify current goal stage:

• Specify “Next Steps”• Identify goals/criteria for next level of critique

(*this is different from brainstorming!)

Project Design Critique in a Group

• Decide who needs to participate• Identify areas of expertise

• Obtain specific kinds of feedback where relevant

• Use the critique as an opportunity to teach others• Include a manager who could benefit from learning about the

design process

• Use the critique as a challenge• Invite a ‘devils advocate’ to test design/theory

This is The Last Slide !

Assignment:Take 10 minutes after the break to list your project goals and what criteria you would like to have specific feedback on.

We will get into groups and you will get feedback from classmates on your wireframes based on this criteria/project goals.

Week 5 Assignment

Post to canvas your meeting notes about your project. What feedback did you get? Will you do anything about it?

Read these two articles:A great critique of lingcars.comhttps://econsultancy.com/blog/9067-lings-cars-and-the-art-of-persuading-visitors-to-buy/

How one weird trick is winning the internet.http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2013/07/how_one_weird_trick_conquered_the_internet_what_happens_when_you_click_on.html

References

• Berkun, Scott (2009) How to give and receive criticism retrieved at www.scottberkun.com

• http://20px.com/blog/2012/08/02/the-bother-scale-for-design-feedback/