Closed-loop communication is a communication technique used to avoid misunderstandings.

When the sender gives a message, the receiver repeats this back. The sender then confirms the message, commonly using the word "yes". When the receiver incorrectly repeats the message back, the sender will say "negative" (or something similar) and then repeat the correct message. If the sender, the person giving the message, does not get a reply back, he must repeat it until the receiver starts closing the loop. To get the attention of the receiver, the sender can use the receiver's name or functional position, touch their shoulder, etc.

Informally, at least in engineering organizations, closing the loop means establishing an informal communication channel with another individual or organization. The expression "going open loop" is used to express the idea that someone has lost discipline, acted out of control.

Closed-loop communication is a form of communication that revolves around a three-step process. The steps are listed below:

One way to conceptualize closed-loop communication is to picture a circle. If the circle is left with an open then anything can get in. In the case of verbal communication that may be misinformation, distractions, etc. However, when the circle is completely closed, there is much less of a chance for anything to get in and leaves fewer chances for a mistake. The process of participating in this form of communication is called "closing the loop."

Closed-loop communication can involve three parts/steps which are as follows:

Call-out

Check-back