Is design dead? The short answer: no. The long answer is in this classic article by Martin Fowler. It covers misconceptions of where design practices fit into XP.

It’s a long article and if you need to read it but don’t have time, consider the irony that you do not have the time to read articles which will save you time. Then make time.

Some of the key points are:

• Design only as far as it is useful.
• Treat a design as a “sketch” - not a decision set in stone.
• Don’t be afraid to throw out some or all of a design.
• Code should be comprehensive, design documents should cover only what is most important.
• Designers need to be coders.

Communication issues abound in the corporate world. With offshoring, such problems can become exaggerated to the point of exasperation: Not only can you not work with your team face-to-face, but there are timezone differences, and language barriers can cause misunderstandings and frustration.

It does not have to be this way. Here are some simple tips to use when communicating with an offshore team. Combine them with other good communication strategies, and your offshore endeavors will be as efficient as any.

When on the phone… Speak slowly. Verify that the listener understands you. Enunciate. Try to minimize your accent if you have one. Some people have a tendency to shout when speaking to someone with an accent, try to avoid this.

When sending emails or IMs… Use good netiquette (don’t type in all CAPS, use excessive punctuation, etc). Be forgiving by assuming a helpful tone even if it is not apparent – it is probably cultural, not personal.

When instant messaging… Send complete sentences. Not. Fragmented. Messages. That. Must. Be. Pieced. Together.

When communicating requirements… Explain “what” and “why” – not “how” a feature should be implemented. Do not assume that the offshore team has the industry or internal system knowledge that your employees take for granted.

When asking for help… Often, offshore team members will make every effort possible to help you with an issue or to understand how something works. Do not over rely on the helpfulness of the team, as it does take away time from other duties. Make sure that any questions you have for them are complete, and well thought out.

In general… Be concise. Avoid idioms. There is typically no need to use simpler words. Do not be afraid to ask that a difficult sentence be reworded, and be patient if asked to do the same.

If you feel that “best” practices aren’t giving you the best results, you may want to consider bringing in a third-party to aid in identifying and solving problems with communication. Art of Progress has consultants available; email artofprogress@artofprogress.com for more information.