The Critical Friends Protocol is a structured process used in education, professional development, and collaborative environments to facilitate constructive feedback and reflection on a project, idea, or piece of work. It emphasizes respectful, thoughtful critique to support improvement and foster professional growth. The term “critical friend” refers to someone who provides honest, constructive feedback in a supportive way. Below is an overview of the protocol:
Contents
Steps in the Critical Friends Protocol
- Presenter Shares Context (5-10 minutes):
- The person seeking feedback (the presenter) provides an overview of their work, idea, or challenge.
- They explain their goals, what they hope to achieve, and identify specific areas where they would like feedback.
- No interruptions or questions from the group during this time.
- Clarifying Questions (5 minutes):
- Participants ask clarifying, non-judgmental questions to ensure they fully understand the presenter’s work or the problem.
- These questions are factual, not evaluative, and help clarify details without offering suggestions or opinions.
- Probing Questions (5-10 minutes):
- Participants ask open-ended, reflective questions to encourage deeper thinking.
- These questions help the presenter analyze their work or problem from new perspectives. Examples:
- “What other solutions have you considered?”
- “What impact do you think this approach will have?”
- Feedback from the Group (10-15 minutes):
- Participants share their thoughts, suggestions, and constructive feedback. This is divided into two parts:
- Warm Feedback: Positive aspects of the work (e.g., strengths, what works well).
- Cool Feedback: Constructive critiques or areas for improvement. Feedback is framed respectfully and focuses on possibilities for growth.
- The presenter listens silently without responding or defending during this phase.
- Participants share their thoughts, suggestions, and constructive feedback. This is divided into two parts:
- Presenter Reflection (5-10 minutes):
- The presenter reflects on the feedback they received, sharing their key takeaways and how the input will inform their next steps.
- This step ensures they process and contextualize the feedback.
- Debrief (5 minutes):
- The group discusses the effectiveness of the process and how it could be improved for future sessions.
Guidelines for a Successful Protocol
- Respectful Communication: Feedback should be constructive, respectful, and focused on helping the presenter improve.
- Balance: Emphasize both strengths and areas for improvement.
- Active Listening: Participants should listen carefully and avoid dominating the discussion.
- Confidentiality: Discussions should remain confidential to create a safe environment for sharing.
Applications of the Protocol
- Education: Used by teachers, students, and administrators to review lesson plans, projects, or school initiatives.
- Workplace: Applied in team settings for project reviews, product development, or brainstorming sessions.
- Community Organizations: Supports collaborative problem-solving or program evaluation.
The Critical Friends Protocol promotes a culture of collaboration, reflection, and continuous improvement, ensuring feedback is meaningful and actionable.
