Closing the Feedback Loop

Feedback is the process where past information influences the a similar phenomenon in the present or future.

Learning Objective

Explain the role of the feedback loop in decision making and the different types of feedback associated with it

Key Points

It is important to note that information by itself is not feedback unless it is translated into action.
Feedback is also a synonym for feedback signals, feedback mechanisms, and feedback loops.
The making and implementation of a decision is not the end of the decision-making process. Regular monitoring, and measuring the results of implementation against expected standards from an early stage will help close the feedback loop by altering decisions, if necessary.

Terms

Feedback mechanism
the action or means used to subsequently modify the gap in a feedback loop
Feedback loop
Feedback is a process in which information about the past or the present influences the same phenomenon in the present or future. As part of a chain of cause-and-effect that forms a circuit or loop, the event is said to "feed back" into itself. The feedback loop is the complete causal path that leads from the initial detection of the gap to the subsequent modification of the gap.
Feedback signal
the measurement of the actual level of the parameter of interest in a feedback loop

Example

Suppose a company decides to produce 200 widgets a day based on the expected demand. Once this plan is put into action, the company undertakes regular monitoring and discovers that only 150 widgets are being sold. The company can then alter their production process to ensure that they are not overproducing. If done early, this feedback loop ensures that a correct decision is ultimately made.

Full Text

Feedback is a process in which information about the past or the present influences the same phenomenon in the present or future. As part of a chain of cause-and-effect that forms a circuit or loop, the event is said to "feed back" into itself.

Ramaprasad (1983) defines feedback generally as "information about the gap between the actual level and the reference level of a system parameter which is used to alter the gap in some way," emphasising that the information by itself is not feedback unless translated into action. "...'feedback' exists between two parts when each affects the other..."

Feedback is also a synonym for:

Feedback signal: The measurement of the actual level of the parameter of interest.
Feedback mechanism: The action or means used to subsequently modify the gap.
Feedback loop: The complete causal path that leads from the initial detection of the gap to the subsequent modification of the gap.

The Feedback Loop in Decision Making

Just making a decision, and implementing it is not the end of the decision-making process. It is crucial to monitor your decision regularly once it is implemented. At this stage, you have to keep a close eye on the progress made by implementing the solution. You may need to measure the results of implementation against your expected standards. Monitoring of solutions early on will help you close the feedback loop by altering your decisions, if you notice a deviation of results from your expectations.

In the end, you will be able to see what you did right and wrong when coming up and putting the decision to use and you may choose to revisit the past decision or take a different tact when faced with similar problems in the future.

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