Write for someone who wasn’t there.
In remote teams, most shared understanding happens through text. Clarity has to do the work that hallway context used to do.
Assume no context
Self-Contained
- Link the ticket, name the system
- Spell out acronyms once
- State the ask and the deadline
Match the channel
Rich Vs Lean
- Complex or emotional: call
- Simple or factual: text
- Decisions: always written
Mind the tone
Text Loses Warmth
- “ok.” can read as cold
- Add a line of intent
- Assume good faith when reading
Source: Management Science ↗
Write for someone who wasn't there.