What is the SBI Feedback Model?
The SBI Feedback Model is a Tool that helps provide Feedback in a Simple way.
- It focuses on the most basic factors involved when giving Feedback.
To do this, it proposes that any Feedback Process must go through 3 Steps.
- Compared to other Feedback Models, it proposes a much simpler approach.
Its name is an acronym for the 3 Steps proposed:
- Situation.
- Behavior.
- Impact.
Three Stages of the SBI Feedback Model
1. Situation: Describe the Context in which Everything happened.
- Facts, Place, Time, People involved and Circumstances.
2. Behavior: Analyze How the Person Behaved and Reacted in that Situation.
- Aggressively, Coldly, Analytically, with Empathy, etc.
3. Impact: Objectively describe the Consequences of what happened.
- How it affected other Employees, the Company, etc.

SBI Feedback Model
This method is very similar to the COIN and CEDAR Feedback Models.
- These Models also propose some Steps to provide Feedback Successfully.
The COIN Model proposes a Feedback loop by adding the “Next Steps” Stage.
- The other 3 Steps are practically the same.
Check our “COIN Model” Page if you are interested about it.
The CEDAR Model uses a similar approach, but proposes to use Examples.
- The other Steps are also equivalent.
Check our “CEDAR Model” Page if you are interested about it.
Now, we’ll see some Practical examples so that you understand the SBI Model much better.
SBI Feedback Model examples
We’ll now use the 3 same examples we used in the COIN Conversation Model.
- Again, check our “COIN Conversation Model” Page if you are interested about it.
- Both Methods complement each other very well.
As these 2 methods are very similar, we have decided to use the same Situations in order to highlight their different approaches.
Let’s see them:
Feedback to a Student - SBI Feedback Model example
You have a Student that is not trying hard enough.
- She (or he) is a brilliant student but is performing poorly.
In order to approach her successfully, you decide to follow the SBI Feedback Model.
What do you do?
Situation
First, you decide to Explain her:
- The importance of the Course she is in (last year of High School).
- How Universities evaluate which students to accept.
- What Subjects are more important for her Academic Record.
Behavior
Then, you decide to Highlight:
- How, she has modified her working discipline.
- How, her participation in the class has decreased.
- How, her mood has changed these past weeks.
Impact
You then Explain to her that:
- Her marks will keep decreasing if she doesn’t change her discipline.
- This attitude will make it difficult for her to access the best Universities.
* If she doesn’t modify her attitude, you’ll establish the Steps Necessary to improve this Situation.
- The SBI Feedback Model will turn into a “COIN Model“.
Feedback to an Employee - SBI Feedback Model example
We’ll imagine that you have an Employee to which you want to give Good Feedback.
- Feedback can be also Positive.
In order to approach him successfully, you decide to follow the SBI Feedback Model.
What do you do?
Situation
First, you decide to Explain him:
- How, difficult the last few months have been for the Company.
- How, his coworkers have felt discouraged by this Situation.
- How, the Company needed employees to work more than expected.
Behavior
Then, you decide to Highlight:
- How Well he has worked in this Situation.
- The High Quality of his work during these difficult times.
- His Leadership and example to the rest of his coworkers.
Impact
You then Explain to Analyze:
- How, his example, has motivated his coworkers.
- How his work has helped the Company get through these difficult times.
* That is Why, you will Promote him.
Feedback to your Boss - SBI Feedback Model example
Finally, We’ll imagine that you want to give Feedback to your Boss.
- He is a good Boss, but you think he’s wrong about something.
In order to approach him successfully, you decide to follow the SBI Model.
What do you do?
Situation
First, you decide to Analyze:
- The last decisions he made, When and How.
- Who was involved in those situations.
- What are the Risks of those Situations for the Company.
Behavior
Then, you decide to Highlight:
- How he took the Bad Decision that you are warning him about.
- His Mood, How Stressed and Angry he was.
- Due to an internal Discussion with other Manager.
- His Mood, How Stressed and Angry he was.
- What made him not to see the Right Choice.
Impact
You then Explain him (very politely) in a reasoned way:
- How this Decision can be detrimental for the Company.
- How this Decision affected other employees.
- How, his authority can be in jeopardy due to his bad Judgement.
* After telling your Boss this, he Fires you immediately.
- Of course not! He fixes this situation and appreciates your honest Feedback.
Summarizing
The SBI Feedback Model is a Tool that helps provide Feedback in a Simple way.
It proposes that any Feedback Process must go through 3 Steps:
- Situation: Describe the Context in which Everything happened.
- Behavior: Analyze How the Person Behaved and Reacted in that Situation.
- Impact: Objectively describe the Consequences of what happened.
Differences between SBI, COIN and CEDAR Feedback Models:
- The COIN Model proposes a Feedback loop by adding the “Next Steps” Stage.
- The CEDAR Model uses a similar approach, but proposes to use Examples.