BackUnlocking Success: The Benefits of Peer Feedback in Remote Tech Work
In the fast-paced environment of remote tech work, creating a culture of ongoing growth is among the most important for individual and company success. A great contributor to that improvement is peer feedback, giving benefits such as increased quality of work, creating an environment of collaboration, and ongoing development and learning.
Improving the Quality of Work
Feedback is a serious tool for improving the quality of work in remote tech environments. When teams come together and provide constructive criticism and share their insights, they grow together and can better identify and correct potential issues earlier in the development timeline. This leads to better quality deliverables and reduced errors.
Differing perspectives can provide increased problem-solving approaches, as team members with different skills and experiences might see alternative solutions than initially considered. This not only improves work quality but also garners a sense of shared ownership for the final product.
Cultivating a Culture of Collaboration
Remote teams face the challenge of differing working styles and schedules. Peer feedback can address (and potentially alleviate some of) this by encouraging trust and open communication between colleagues. This empowers team members to share their thoughts and opinions without fear of judgment.
Collaborative culture goes far beyond just team projects. It can lead to improved communication, and foster a sense of camaraderie among distributed teams, which in turn can prevent feelings of isolation.
Encouraging Ongoing Learning and Development
Being a remote worker requires ongoing learning to keep up with the ever-evolving tech and industry standards. Peer feedback allows team members to share their experiences and knowledge internally and allows others to collectively be on the cutting edge of the learning curve with the latest advancements and best practices.
Receiving peer feedback gives people invaluable insight into where they have room for improvement as well as their strengths. This knowledge provides an opportunity for professional and personal development, giving team members options for skill enhancement and learning as needed. The entire team benefits by having an adaptable and skilled group.
Implementation
Implementing effective peer feedback techniques in remote tech work requires a thoughtful approach. Here are key steps to ensure its success:
Set Expectations
Have a clear outline for giving and receiving feedback. Communicate the reason for the feedback, and emphasize its purpose for personal or professional development. Encourage using a positive, constructive tone to create continuous improvement. This looks like:
- Focus on the behavior, not the person: When giving feedback, be sure to focus on the specific behavior or action that needs improvement, rather than making personal attacks or criticism.
- Be specific and objective: Provide specific examples of what was said or done that needs improvement, and how it impacted the team or project. Use objective language and avoid making assumptions or judgments.
- Offer actionable solutions: Provide specific suggestions for how the person can improve and if possible, offer your support or other resources to help them implement the changes.
- Be timely: Provide feedback as soon as possible after an event, so it remains fresh in everyone's mind.
Provide Training
Offer training or a simple how-to document covering effective feedback approaches. This provides team members with the needed skills to appropriately give actionable feedback. It can also emphasize the importance of empathy and tact when giving feedback remotely.
Use the Right Tools
Using tools that facilitate collaboration and communication is a sure way to encourage feedback. Platforms such as video calls, messaging applications, and management tools open the doors to dialogue and feedback.
Regular Cadence
Set a schedule for feedback. Different settings call for different schedules, so it may be monthly, weekly, or more often. Regardless of the interval, having a cadence and sticking to it will ensure that peer feedback is ongoing and a consistent piece of the team's workflow.
Peer feedback in remote work is a powerful tool to improve work quality, foster collaboration, and promote ongoing development. By implementing clear expectations, training, using the right tools, and having a regular feedback cadence, remote tech teams can harness the full potential of peer feedback to achieve success 💫
Mariah is a software engineer here at Echobind. Want to work with our incredible team? Reach out to us at hi@echobind.com anytime.
