Overview
This section is for people who have never heard of Feedback Loops and want enough understanding to start using the Playbook without guessing.
If you are looking for step-by-step instructions, this is not that section. If you are looking to understand what you are doing and how to think while doing it, you are in the right place.
What This Section Will Do
By the time you finish this Deep Dive, you should be able to:
- Explain what Feedback Loops is for in plain language
- Understand why the stages exist and why they are ordered
- Recognise what kind of thinking is required at each stage
- Tell when you are rushing, guessing, or drifting
- Open the Playbook and start using it with confidence
You do not need to memorise terminology or templates. You need to understand the shape of the work.
What This Section Will Not Do
This section will not:
- Walk you through prompts
- Tell you what to fill in line-by-line
- Teach you a technical design method
- Replace the Playbook
Those responsibilities belong elsewhere.
If you want instructions, go to the Playbook. If you want a quick reminder, use Quick Reference.
How to Read This Section
Read this section in order.
Unlike the rest of the documentation, this is one place where sequence matters. Each section builds on the previous one and introduces a new mental shift.
Do not skim for keywords. Read for understanding.
If something feels obvious, keep going. If something feels uncomfortable, slow down.
That discomfort is usually a sign that the system is doing its job.
How This Relates to the Playbook
The Playbook tells you what to do.
This section explains:
- what you are trying to accomplish at each stage
- what kind of thinking is appropriate
- what mistakes people commonly make
You should be able to read this section once, then live mostly in the Playbook.
When something later feels unclear or contentious, come back here.
A Final Expectation Check
Feedback Loops does not remove the need for judgement. It does not make decisions for you. It does not guarantee good outcomes.
What it does is:
- make thinking explicit
- force clarity before commitment
- surface disagreement early
- prevent silent drift
If you are willing to engage with it honestly, it will make your work easier. If you are looking for shortcuts, it will frustrate you.
That is intentional.
When you are ready, continue to The Core Problem Feedback Loops Solves.