Integrating Feedback Interventions with Feedforward Interviews: Evidence from Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) Nigeria

Traditional performance appraisals often look backward and can demotivate employees. This paper evaluates an integrated system that pairs feedback interventions (behavior-specific reviews of recent work) with feedforward interviews (strengths-focused conversations about future goals) in MSF Nigeria. Using a mixed-methods design over 6-12 months (N = 39), feedforward interviews clarified future expectations for 97.5% of respondents and were perceived to support skills development and task outcomes. The combined system was rated positively by all respondents and improved motivation for 97.4%. We explain how feedforward complements feedback, outline enabling conditions (goal clarity, recognition, growth opportunities, and credible manager delivery), and provide practical steps for humanitarian organizations to embed real-time feedback and action-oriented development plans.