Communication
Overview
Communication is the engineering skill of making intent, risk, and progress legible to other people.
Why It Matters
Good communication reduces rework, improves reviews, and keeps teams aligned during ambiguity.
Core Concepts
- State the goal first.
- Separate facts from opinions.
- Prefer concrete examples over vague claims.
Mental Models
Write for the person who will read it without you in the room.
Best Practices
- Use short, direct messages.
- Include the decision, the reason, and the next step.
- Summarize trade-offs instead of hiding them.
Common Mistakes
- Explaining too much before the point.
- Using jargon when simpler language works.
- Leaving reviewers to infer intent.
Trade-offs
Short communication is efficient, but it still needs enough context for others to act safely.
Decision Framework
| Situation | Best format |
|---|---|
| Simple update | Short message |
| Trade-off discussion | Bullet list |
| Risky decision | Written note with rationale |
Examples
- “I chose X because it is reversible and lowers release risk.”
- “This bug reproduces only on cached data, so I am checking state hydration first.”
Checklists
- Is the purpose obvious in the first sentence?
- Did I include the trade-off?
- Can the recipient act without asking a follow-up question?
Senior Engineer Notes
Senior engineers communicate to move work forward, not to sound impressive. Clear writing is part of the delivery mechanism.