The Importance of Being Clear

Clarity in communication is an adage repeated ad nauseum when it comes to software professionals. Time and again they are asked to “be clear”, “be unambiguous”, “write detailed steps”. From my experience in software testing, I have realised that there is a reason why this point is emphasised – over-emphasised, in fact. Let us discuss this topic here. Let us start with the ‘why’.

Why clear communication?

• Most Indian software projects work largely with the onsite-offshore model (more often than not the onsite is US). Thus, the typical turnaround time for any question posed by one side to the other is 24 hours. It is, thus, imperative to ensure that mail threads do not bounce back and forth due to ambiguous communication.
• A considreable percentage of the Indian software community is found wanting when it comes to communication skills. We ‘may’ be good technically but when it comes to geting the point across there is a large scope for improvement.
• By nature, we are averse to asking questions. Though the prime causes can be traced to general shyness in the character and the unwillingness to be questioned back, other factors related to group dynamics also work.
• As we start working with teams spread across time zones and with different cultures, it is important to understand how do they work. And again ensure that the channels of communication are clear.

The famous mis-communication example