and keeping those threads together. This works better, but the non-real-time
nature can prove challenging as well as individuals try to give their comments
but have to do so based on assumptions that they haven’t been able to validate
or eliminate yet.
That isn’t to say that critique isn’t possible through these mechanisms. It very
much is, but, if we’re going to use tools like this, perhaps because we’re in a
situation where we have no other choice, we need to make sure we’re doing
our best to make them as conversational and focused as possible. When
requesting feedback through a mechanism like this, be specific about what you
want feedback on in your request, and specify what the objectives for your
creation were. Allow for as many questions back and forth as you can. When
making assumptions in order to offer an insight, make sure to state that
assumption so that the recipient can see it and verify that it’s true or let you
know that it isn’t. It takes more work, and can often take a bit longer, but it can
be done. We do recommend though that, when you can, it’s best to use a
platform in which everyone can talk in real-time and look at the creation
together. With some good facilitation (see Chapter 4) you’ll find that sessions
like this, whether their in-person or through a conferencing tool like WebEx or
Google Hangouts, you’ll do much better at collecting useful feedback, keeping
the team in sync and building a sense of collaboration.
Chapter Summary
The intention of individual(s) in both roles of a critique discussion, giving
feedback and receiving it, has a direct impact on not only the quality and
usefulness of feedback shared in a design discussion, but also on the
relationships of team members and their ability to collaborate.
Proper intention is about wanting to understand the impacts of choices made in
order to better determine what to keep, change, eliminate and strengthen as we
iterate on our creations and move them forward.
Whether done intentionally or not, characteristics that make feedback
unhelpful are:
It’s derived from personal goals: The individual giving the critique is
doing so because they are looking to be recognized or because they
have their own ideas on how or what should have been created.
It’s untimely: It’s given without regard to whether the recipient(s) are
in a mindset or position to listen and make use of the insights.
It’s incomplete: It’s a reaction or prediction without a description of
what has caused it.