Which feedback model emphasizes describing the situation, behavior, and impact while maintaining neutral language?

• A. Sandwich method
• B. Open feedback
• C. Performance appraisal
• D. SBI model

Answer: (C)

Giving feedback that is clear, factual, and neutral hinges on focusing on the situation, the observable behavior, and the impact. The SBI model does exactly that: you start by naming the situation—where and when the event occurred—then describe the behavior you observed in concrete terms, and finally state the impact this behavior had on the team, the project, or outcomes. This structure keeps the guidance specific and objective, so the recipient understands what changed, what actions to adjust, and why it matters, without labeling or judging.

The idea is to separate what happened from how you feel about it, which makes the feedback easier to act on and less likely to trigger defensiveness. This is different from methods like the sandwich approach, which centers on placing a critique between praise and praise and can blur the specific behavior and its impact. It’s also distinct from a general open-feedback philosophy, which is broader and less about a fixed three-part framework, and from a formal performance appraisal, which is a broader HR process that may not emphasize neutral, behavior-focused description in the moment.