How do you apply feedback from information systems projects?

1 Identify feedback sources

The first step is to identify who can provide you with valuable feedback on your information systems project. This may include your clients, users, sponsors, team members, managers, experts, and reviewers. You should also consider the type and frequency of feedback you need from each source, such as formal or informal, qualitative or quantitative, continuous or periodic, and so on. You can use various methods and tools to collect feedback, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, tests, reviews, and reports.

2 Analyze feedback data

The next step is to analyze the feedback data you have collected and identify the key themes, patterns, issues, and opportunities. You should use appropriate techniques and tools to organize, summarize, and visualize the feedback data, such as charts, tables, diagrams, dashboards, and software. You should also compare and contrast the feedback data from different sources and perspectives, and look for gaps, inconsistencies, and conflicts. You should also evaluate the quality and reliability of the feedback data, and check for any biases, errors, or misunderstandings.

3 Prioritize feedback actions

The third step is to prioritize the feedback actions you need to take to improve your information systems project. You should use a systematic and transparent approach to rank the feedback actions based on their importance, urgency, feasibility, and impact. You should also consider the costs, benefits, risks, and dependencies of each feedback action, and how they align with your project objectives, scope, schedule, budget, and quality. You should also communicate and negotiate the feedback actions with your stakeholders, and get their buy-in and support.

4 Implement feedback actions

The fourth step is to implement the feedback actions you have prioritized and agreed on with your stakeholders. You should use a structured and disciplined process to plan, execute, monitor, and control the feedback actions, and document the changes and results. You should also use appropriate methods and tools to manage the feedback actions, such as project management software, change management techniques, quality assurance methods, and testing procedures. You should also track and measure the progress and performance of the feedback actions, and report the outcomes and achievements.

5 Evaluate feedback outcomes

The fifth step is to evaluate the feedback outcomes and assess how they have improved your information systems project. You should use relevant criteria and indicators to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of the feedback actions, and compare them with the baseline and targets. You should also use various methods and tools to collect and analyze the feedback outcomes, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, tests, reviews, and reports. You should also solicit and incorporate feedback from your stakeholders on the feedback outcomes, and identify their satisfaction and expectations.

6 Learn from feedback experiences

The sixth step is to learn from the feedback experiences and identify the lessons learned and best practices for your future information systems projects. You should use a reflective and collaborative approach to review and document the feedback processes, methods, tools, data, actions, outcomes, and impacts. You should also use a feedback loop to continuously improve your information systems project management skills, knowledge, and competencies. You should also share and disseminate the feedback experiences and insights with your peers, colleagues, and community, and contribute to the information systems profession.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?