All the software engineering models from waterfall to ‘agile’ aim to increase productivity. Do more jobs at shorter time. So, Communication between colleagues has vital role for the productivity. Nowadays Slack, Hipchat, Gitter or any instant Message application are became the part of the daily communication. I think that we need set of rules for these instant message applications for having more productive work.

Think like e-mail

We shouldn’t wait for the reply before asking question if we have a clear question in our mind.

DON'T
- hi
- do you have a time related with the new designs?
..waiting for reply..

Write it in once

Each message creates another ‘beep’ notification and it is very distracting.

DON'T
- hi
- are you busy?
- do we have an Endpoints for new designs?

DO
- hi, do we have endpoints for new designs?

Be detailed and straightforward

DON'T
- hi, do we have endpoints for new designs?

DO
- hi, do we have endpoints for new direct message feature?