How to Use Event Feedback for Continuous Improvement

Improve long-term program success with one simple technique: retrospectives. A project’s success isn't just measured by the final deliverable—it’s about learning from every step of the process. One of the best ways to drive continuous improvement is by holding lessons learned workshops to reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and how to do better next time. Here are three practical steps to get the most out of these workshops: 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗼 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Don’t wait too long after the project wraps up. Fresh insights are critical, so gather the team while the project is still top of mind. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲, 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Encourage team members to be candid about challenges and successes. Set the tone for honest discussions by framing the workshop as a tool for learning, not blame. 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Organize the feedback into actionable categories (e.g., communication, timeline, resources) and make sure key lessons are captured in a way that can influence future projects. Pro tip: Use these lessons learned when you kick off new projects. Incorporating past insights ensures you're not repeating mistakes and are continuously improving your processes. #ProgramMangement #LessonsLearned #ContinuousImprovement

Feedback is a loop, but we often keep it open-ended. Closing the loop is more than a simple "thank you for giving me the feedback." That's merely a dead end. Feedback isn't an event, it should be an ongoing partnership for growth. How do you make that happen? By applying feedback and following up with this three step process: Step 1: Change the way you ask for feedback. Instead of simply asking "what feedback do you have," get more specific in what you're asking for up front, so you can focus the other person's attention to what you need (e.g. I'd really like your feedback on the overall flow of that presentation and what made it easy or difficult to absorb). Then look for the one thing you can take and apply. This approach makes it easier to get valuable, actionable feedback, even if there are elements you disagree with. Step 2: Proactively set a date to action on the feedback and even follow up. When can you implement a first step? How will you re-connect to provide an update? Discuss that plan with the other person. Step 3: When that date hits, share the following: "Because of your feedback, I did x, and this is what I've observed as a result. What have you noticed?" We leave conversations unfinished and open-ended every single day, like strands of string dangling everywhere. It's time to start creating loops - professionally and personally. #ignitedbyjordana #feedback #leadership #communication #closetheloop