Critique: gather external feedback to improve your concept

What is the Critique method all about?

The name itself is self-explanatory: it aims to get a fresh and constructive outlook on an ongoing project, which is not always easy when you’re involved in it yourself. 
With this workshop, project designers call on neutral outsiders to act as critics. They are presented with the current solution and its various particulars, through a comprehensive pitch of the project. They are then tasked with giving feedback. 
This way, teams can take a step back from their work and getting external feedback is by far the best way to do it. 
This gradual approach allows you to get an unbiased opinion and can help give the project new impetus, develop new ideas that had not been considered so far, make improvements and discard certain aspects.

Why ask for an external opinion on the design process? 

‍The “Critique” template can be useful to give a boost to your project, if you’re running short of ideas for example, or can simply be a way of getting outside project approval at the end of the design phase. This is a collaborative process.
With a fresh outlook on your project, you can overcome sticking points, explore new avenues and get suggestions for improvement. 
The criticism should be unbiased, freely raise issues and ask technical questions, since that’s what investors or clients might do. This workshop helps the design team to anticipate and prepare the production stage.

How do you use the Critique method with the Klaxoon template?

First of all, get the design team to join the Board. Together, draw up the pitch for your project in the central area. It should be the one you would use for presentations to investors and potential customers. You can add images, videos, pdf documents and models to promote your concept and make sure that it is clear. 
Beforehand, select four or five people who are not part of the project team. They must be neutral, i.e., not have any specific interests in the project and be unbiased.  
Invite them to join the Board to play their role as critics. The workshop begins with a pitch presentation phase. 
Then, the critics move into action and give feedback, in a friendly manner. It is, however, important for them to focus on any points that need clarification. This will help the project team move out of its comfort zone and prepare for the unexpected. 
The more detailed the criticism, the more constructive it will be. That’s why the feedback collection space is broken down into several sections:

• Positive feedback covers the project’s strong points to be retained and developed.  
• Negative feedback will list sticking points and elements to correct, improve or set aside. 
• Points to be clarified will require questions on unclear aspects and suggest alternative ways of presenting them.  
• Improvement suggestions should offer solutions, because any advice is worth having! 

Remember to try out the “Critique” template to improve your product, even in the design phase, and make sure it’s successful when launched!