What is Feedback

Feedback is, at its heart, simply a response to some input. This admitedly vague definition serves the purpose of allowing to view feedback beyond the narrow scope we may be familiar with. When, in a professional context, we ask for or receive feedback, it’s typically a comment on a specific piece of work, either our work itself or some communication associated with the work, like a written report or oral presentation.

But by defining beyond the input and the feedback it inspires, there are several dimensions we should consider when providing and receiving feedbac.

For example, a broadly-defined feedback can encompass, among others, all of the following forms:

How these different forms of feedback differ depends on their dimensions.

Dimensions of Feedback

Below I define several dimensions we should consider in the arena of providing feedback.

Input
What is being commented on.
Formality
Casual or formal (institutionalized).
Material
What is the content on which feedback is being given?
Scope
1:1, many:1, many:many.
Transparency
Private, small group, inner circle, public.
Goal for recipient
What the recipient hopes to gain.
Goal for sender
What the sender hopes to gain.
Media
In which media format will feedback be provided.
Time
How long after an even will the feedback be provided.
Dimension Description
Type Constructive Criticism
Formality Casual
Material Oral presentation
Scope 1:1
Transparency Private
Goal for recipient Receive confirmation of a job well-done, or, input for how to improve
Goal for sender Maintain good working and personal relationship with the recipient
Table 1: An example of dimensions for providing feedback.