Feedback exercise - showing the value of instant feedback

Communication and feedback

Exercise

• Work in pairs– One person acts as developer– One person acts as customer

• The job is to copy a picture of symbols– Customer describes the original picture– Developer draws the copy

Part 1

• Customer and developer sit apart from eachother• Customer has 5 min to write a requirements

document– Just text, no pictures!

• The developer then has 10 min to implement (draw a copy)– Customer may write new requirements during this

time, to specify further– No other communication allowed!

Part 2

• Customer and developer sit together– Only customer may see original image!– Only developer may touch the pen!

• Pair has 10 min to finish the drawing• Any communication is allowed– Talking– Pointing– Visualizing (without customer using the pen!)

Debriefing

• Discuss in the group how the results turned out, how the two simulations differed

• How can we relate the exercise to a software development project?