Here's how you can offer valuable feedback and constructive criticism to your machine learning colleagues.
When working in the field of machine learning (ML), collaboration and feedback are essential for innovation and improvement. Constructive criticism among peers can significantly enhance the quality of models and algorithms. However, offering feedback that is both valuable and well-received requires tact and an understanding of the complexities involved in ML projects. It's important to approach your colleagues with respect and a genuine desire to help improve their work, while also being open to learning from the exchange.
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Alistair Lowe-NorrisLeadership and Responsible AI Coach | 23 years of Microsoft | Former Chief Change Officer for Microsoft | On a mission…
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Tatiana FranusPhD | Lecturer & Specialist in Finance Microstructure and Market Surveillance | Machine Learning in Finance 📈
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Fabio FilhoHead of Education, Training and Certification at Amazon Web Services (AWS) | Sales & Marketing Director | AWS People &…
Before diving into feedback, ensure you have a solid grasp of the project's fundamentals. Machine learning involves complex algorithms and data sets, so a misunderstanding could lead to misguided advice. Take time to understand the problem being solved, the data used, and the chosen algorithms. This knowledge will not only make your feedback more relevant but also show your colleagues that you respect their work enough to learn about it.
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Alistair Lowe-Norris
Leadership and Responsible AI Coach | 23 years of Microsoft | Former Chief Change Officer for Microsoft | On a mission to upskill 1M+ leaders build a better future with Responsible AI.
Before diving into feedback, ensure you have a solid grasp of the project's fundamentals. Machine learning involves complex algorithms and datasets, so a misunderstanding could lead to misguided advice. Take time to understand the problem being solved, the data used, and the chosen algorithms. This knowledge will not only make your feedback more relevant but also show your colleagues that you respect their work enough to learn about it.
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Fabio Filho
Head of Education, Training and Certification at Amazon Web Services (AWS) | Sales & Marketing Director | AWS People & Culture of Innovation Speaker | AWS Press Spokesperson | Transforming Companies with Cloud & GenAI
Giving effective feedback is crucial for the growth of machine learning teams. Follow these guidelines to offer valuable feedback to your colleagues: 1. Be specific 2. Be timely 3. Be respectful 4. Be solution-oriented 5. Be open to feedback yourself 6. Be patient and persistent
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Inder P Singh
All Invitations Accepted 👍 | Software and ML Engineer | QA | Software and Testing Training (79K) | Software Testing Space
When offering feedback to machine learning colleagues, understanding project basics beforehand is crucial. This promotes relevance and avoids misguided advice. Respect your colleagues by investing time to comprehend project fundamentals, enhancing the credibility of your feedback. For instance, understanding data preprocessing techniques enables targeted suggestions for model improvement. And comprehending algorithm selection rationale facilitates constructive criticism on model optimization strategies. In complex ML projects, well-informed feedback encourages collaboration and helps successful project outcomes.
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Saad Salman
Data Scientist | Language Models | Embeddings | Open-Source | Data Science
Before providing feedback on machine learning projects, it is imperative to have a thorough understanding of the fundamental concepts and methodologies. This includes a grasp of different types of learning paradigms such as supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning, as well as an understanding of key algorithms and their respective strengths and limitations. Familiarity with the tools and frameworks being used, such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or scikit-learn, is also important. Having this foundational knowledge ensures that the feedback is relevant, accurate, and can be understood within the context of the project. Moreover, it allows for constructive dialogue and deeper insights into potential areas of improvement.
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Saravana Thiagarajan Kathirvel
Machine Learning Architect | NLP, Gen AI, Computer Vision, Forecasting
Fully understand the ML project end-to-end. 1. What is the goal of the project? 2. What data is being used, and how is it processed? 3. Which algorithms are chosen, and why? 4. How is the success of the project being measured?
When providing feedback on ML projects, specificity is key. Vague comments can lead to confusion and misinterpretation. Instead, pinpoint exact areas where improvements can be made, such as data preprocessing, feature selection, or model architecture. Offer clear examples or suggestions that can be acted upon. This helps your colleague understand your perspective and provides a concrete starting point for improvements.
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Alistair Lowe-Norris
Leadership and Responsible AI Coach | 23 years of Microsoft | Former Chief Change Officer for Microsoft | On a mission to upskill 1M+ leaders build a better future with Responsible AI.
When providing feedback on ML projects, specificity is key. Vague comments can lead to confusion and misinterpretation. Instead, pinpoint exact areas where improvements can be made, such as data preprocessing, feature selection, or model architecture. Offer clear examples or suggestions that can be acted upon. This helps your colleague understand your perspective and provides a concrete starting point for improvements.
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Inder P Singh
All Invitations Accepted 👍 | Software and ML Engineer | QA | Software and Testing Training (79K) | Software Testing Space
When offering feedback on machine learning projects, being specific is important to be respectful. Vague comments can be confusing and waste the recipient's time, so it's important to identify precise areas for improvement. For example, instead of saying 'the model needs work,' you could suggest 'please enhance the data preprocessing steps by normalizing the input features.' Another example might be, 'the feature selection process can be refined by removing highly correlated features to improve model performance.' By providing clear, actionable suggestions, you help your colleagues understand your perspective and give them concrete steps to enhance their work.
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Avneet Singh
Assistant Manager @ EXL | Data Analytics📊 | Business Analytics | Automation | MySQL
Provide specific feedback rather than general observations. Identify particular aspects of the work that could be improved, such as model performance metrics, data preprocessing techniques, or code readability. Use concrete examples and data to illustrate your points.
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Saad Salman
Data Scientist | Language Models | Embeddings | Open-Source | Data Science
Specificity in feedback is crucial in the realm of machine learning, as it allows for targeted improvements and avoids ambiguity. Instead of general comments like "The model needs improvement," detailed feedback should highlight precise issues, such as "The model suffers from overfitting, evident from the large discrepancy between training and validation accuracy." Additionally, pointing out exact lines of code, particular features, or specific data preprocessing steps that require attention can be highly beneficial. This level of detail not only makes the feedback more actionable but also helps in understanding the root causes of problems and facilitates precise adjustments, ultimately leading to better outcomes.
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Saravana Thiagarajan Kathirvel
Machine Learning Architect | NLP, Gen AI, Computer Vision, Forecasting
Specific feedback is more actionable and less likely to be perceived as vague or unhelpful. For instance, if you notice a potential improvement in how the data is being preprocessed or how a particular model is configured, point out these areas specifically.
Start with positive feedback. Acknowledge what's working well in their machine learning project, whether it's an innovative use of a certain algorithm or effective data visualization. This sets a collaborative tone and makes it easier to discuss areas of improvement. Positive reinforcement encourages a more open dialogue and helps maintain a constructive environment where your colleagues feel appreciated for their efforts.
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Alistair Lowe-Norris
Leadership and Responsible AI Coach | 23 years of Microsoft | Former Chief Change Officer for Microsoft | On a mission to upskill 1M+ leaders build a better future with Responsible AI.
Start with positive feedback. Acknowledge what's working well in their machine learning project, whether it's an innovative use of a certain algorithm or effective data visualization. This sets a collaborative tone and makes it easier to discuss areas of improvement. Positive reinforcement encourages a more open dialogue and helps maintain a constructive environment where your colleagues feel appreciated for their efforts.
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Avneet Singh
Assistant Manager @ EXL | Data Analytics📊 | Business Analytics | Automation | MySQL
Instead of solely pointing out flaws, offer solutions or alternative approaches that can help overcome challenges. Brainstorm ideas together and explore different strategies for addressing the issues raised. Focus on problem-solving and continuous improvement.
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Saad Salman
Data Scientist | Language Models | Embeddings | Open-Source | Data Science
Starting with positive feedback sets a constructive tone and can make the recipient more receptive to subsequent criticism. Acknowledging strengths, such as innovative approaches, well-implemented algorithms, or efficient code, validates the effort and motivates further improvement. For instance, one might start by praising the novel feature engineering techniques used before suggesting improvements in model selection. This approach is supported by psychological research indicating that positive feedback can enhance learning and performance by boosting confidence and engagement. By highlighting what is working well, the feedback becomes balanced and encourages a mindset focused on growth and continuous improvement.
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Saravana Thiagarajan Kathirvel
Machine Learning Architect | NLP, Gen AI, Computer Vision, Forecasting
Express your appreciation for these strengths genuinely. Connect the positive aspects of the project to the overall goals. After establishing a positive foundation, transition smoothly into discussing areas where there might be room for improvement. End the feedback session on a positive note by reiterating the strengths of the project and expressing confidence in your colleague’s abilities to address any challenges. This encourages them to approach their improvements with optimism.
Rather than just pointing out flaws, offer alternative solutions. In ML, there are often multiple approaches to solve a problem. If you believe there's a more efficient algorithm or a better way to tune hyperparameters, suggest it. Discuss the potential benefits of your proposed solution without dismissing the original approach. This collaborative problem-solving can lead to better results and a stronger team dynamic.
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Tatiana Franus
PhD | Lecturer & Specialist in Finance Microstructure and Market Surveillance | Machine Learning in Finance 📈
When giving feedback on machine learning projects involving Random Forest algorithms, suggesting alternatives is key. For example, recommend exploring Gradient Boosting Machines (GBM) known for handling complex data relationships. Ensemble methods like AdaBoost or XGBoost could also be beneficial. Additionally, propose hyperparameter tuning methods like Bayesian optimization for optimizing model performance. By offering these suggestions, you empower colleagues to experiment and potentially enhance the effectiveness of their machine learning models.
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Alistair Lowe-Norris
Leadership and Responsible AI Coach | 23 years of Microsoft | Former Chief Change Officer for Microsoft | On a mission to upskill 1M+ leaders build a better future with Responsible AI.
Rather than just pointing out flaws, offer alternative solutions. In ML, there are often multiple approaches to solve a problem. If you believe there's a more efficient algorithm or a better way to tune hyperparameters, suggest it. Discuss the potential benefits of your proposed solution without dismissing the original approach. This collaborative problem-solving can lead to better results and a stronger team dynamic.
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Saad Salman
Data Scientist | Language Models | Embeddings | Open-Source | Data Science
Offering alternative solutions or approaches is a vital aspect of constructive feedback. Instead of merely pointing out what is wrong, providing suggestions for different algorithms, techniques, or frameworks can guide the recipient towards potential solutions. For example, if a model is not performing well due to imbalance in the dataset, suggesting techniques such as SMOTE for oversampling or using a different evaluation metric can be helpful. This type of feedback not only addresses the issue but also expands the recipient's knowledge and toolkit, fostering a more collaborative and educational environment. By proposing alternatives, the feedback becomes a source of learning and innovation.
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Saravana Thiagarajan Kathirvel
Machine Learning Architect | NLP, Gen AI, Computer Vision, Forecasting
Identify specific areas where you believe there might be room for improvement. Do some research to find evidence-based alternatives that could potentially offer better outcomes. Frame your alternatives as options rather than corrections. Acknowledge that every method has its trade-offs. Discuss the pros and cons of both the current and suggested methods to ensure a balanced view is maintained.
Machine learning is an empirical science; thus, encourage your colleague to test new ideas. Suggest setting up controlled experiments to evaluate the impact of any changes. Testing validates the effectiveness of modifications and can reveal unexpected insights. By promoting a test-and-learn approach, you help create a culture of continuous improvement and evidence-based decision making within your team.
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Tatiana Franus
PhD | Lecturer & Specialist in Finance Microstructure and Market Surveillance | Machine Learning in Finance 📈
When providing insights on encouraging testing in machine learning projects, it is crucial to suggest specific practices such as splitting data into distinct sets for training, validation, and testing purposes. By emphasizing the importance of partitioning data appropriately, colleagues can ensure a comprehensive evaluation of model performance. Recommend utilizing techniques like cross-validation, stratified sampling, or time-based splitting to validate models effectively. This approach not only validates modifications accurately but also fosters a culture of methodical experimentation and evidence-driven decision-making, facilitating ongoing enhancements in machine learning endeavors.
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Alistair Lowe-Norris
Leadership and Responsible AI Coach | 23 years of Microsoft | Former Chief Change Officer for Microsoft | On a mission to upskill 1M+ leaders build a better future with Responsible AI.
Machine learning is an empirical science; thus, encourage your colleague to test new ideas. Suggest setting up controlled experiments to evaluate the impact of any changes. Testing validates the effectiveness of modifications and can reveal unexpected insights. By promoting a test-and-learn approach, you help create a culture of continuous improvement and evidence-based decision making within your team.
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Saad Salman
Data Scientist | Language Models | Embeddings | Open-Source | Data Science
Encouraging thorough testing and validation is fundamental to the development of robust machine learning models. Suggesting comprehensive testing strategies, such as cross-validation, A/B testing, or using different evaluation metrics, can help ensure that the model's performance is reliable and generalizable. Highlighting the importance of testing against diverse datasets to check for biases and overfitting is also crucial. This approach is grounded in the scientific method, which emphasizes experimentation and validation. By promoting rigorous testing, the feedback not only aims to improve the current model but also instills best practices that are essential for long-term success in machine learning projects.
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Saravana Thiagarajan Kathirvel
Machine Learning Architect | NLP, Gen AI, Computer Vision, Forecasting
Testing is important as machine learning thrives on empirical evidence. Demonstrate the value of testing by regularly engaging in it yourself. Share your own experiments, what you’ve learned, and how you’ve adapted based on test results. Leading by example can be one of the most powerful ways to influence your team’s culture.
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Fabio Filho
Head of Education, Training and Certification at Amazon Web Services (AWS) | Sales & Marketing Director | AWS People & Culture of Innovation Speaker | AWS Press Spokesperson | Transforming Companies with Cloud & GenAI
Encourage your colleague to test new ideas in machine learning with these incentives: 1. Share resources: Provide research papers, datasets, and tools. 2. Collaborate: Work together on a project incorporating their idea. 3. Provide feedback: Offer constructive criticism for improvement. 4. Encourage risk-taking: Cultivate a culture of learning from mistakes. 5. Celebrate successes: Recognize achievements, big or small.
Lastly, offer to follow up. Feedback is part of an ongoing conversation, not a one-off event. Express your willingness to discuss the feedback further or to assist with implementing changes. This shows commitment to your colleague's success and to the project. A follow-up can also provide an opportunity to review the impact of any adjustments made and to offer additional guidance if necessary.
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Alistair Lowe-Norris
Leadership and Responsible AI Coach | 23 years of Microsoft | Former Chief Change Officer for Microsoft | On a mission to upskill 1M+ leaders build a better future with Responsible AI.
Lastly, offer to follow up. Feedback is part of an ongoing conversation, not a one-off event. Express your willingness to discuss the feedback further or to assist with implementing changes. This shows commitment to your colleague's success and to the project. A follow-up can also provide an opportunity to review the impact of any adjustments made and to offer additional guidance if necessary.
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Avneet Singh
Assistant Manager @ EXL | Data Analytics📊 | Business Analytics | Automation | MySQL
Follow up on the feedback provided to see how your colleague is progressing and offer additional support if needed. Celebrate achievements and improvements along the way, reinforcing positive behaviors and outcomes. Encourage a growth mindset that embraces learning and development.
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Saad Salman
Data Scientist | Language Models | Embeddings | Open-Source | Data Science
Following up on feedback ensures that the suggested changes have been understood and implemented effectively. It also demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement and collaboration. Scheduling a follow-up meeting or discussion allows for review of the modifications, addresses any new challenges that have arisen, and provides an opportunity to give further guidance. This iterative process is similar to agile methodologies in software development, which emphasize regular check-ins and iterative progress. By following up, the feedback loop remains active, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement, and ensuring that the feedback leads to tangible enhancements in the project.
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Avneet Singh
Assistant Manager @ EXL | Data Analytics📊 | Business Analytics | Automation | MySQL
Recognize that receiving feedback can be challenging and sometimes even demotivating. Approach the conversation with empathy and understanding, acknowledging the effort and dedication put into the work. Offer support and encouragement to help your colleague overcome obstacles and grow professionally.
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Saad Salman
Data Scientist | Language Models | Embeddings | Open-Source | Data Science
Additional considerations for providing feedback in machine learning include understanding the project goals, the constraints faced by the team, and the broader context of the work. This involves recognizing the specific business or research objectives, the available resources, and the timeline for the project. Being aware of these factors can help tailor the feedback to be more relevant and feasible. Additionally, emphasizing the importance of documentation and reproducibility can enhance the project's long-term value. Proper documentation ensures that the rationale behind decisions and the steps taken are clear, which is crucial for future work and for onboarding new team members.
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