Communication Patterns

Chapter 1. Communication Essentials

This chapter provides the foundation that you will build upon with the other patterns in Part I. When I refer to patterns and antipatterns, I mean the following:

Pattern

A reusable solution known to be effective when used to solve a specific or more general problem, which may otherwise be known as techniques, practices, methods, or rules.

Antipattern

A solution that is not recommended. It looks like it is the right way to solve a problem when in reality its consequences outweigh any benefits.

I highly recommend making sure you are employing the patterns and antipatterns in this chapter before building on them with all the others. Think of it the same way as architecting a building: you need to get the foundation right before you can build the walls, floors, and roof. Don’t start building on sand, or your construction will sink. Get this groundwork right first.

Know Your Audience

The know your audience pattern is also known as understanding your customer. One of the essential factors to keep in mind when creating and editing a diagram is who is going to be viewing and reading it. Your diagram’s purpose is to communicate successfully with this audience. Knowing who they are and designing the diagram to their needs are key to this purpose.

People who view your diagram could have the following roles:

• Developers (full-stack, frontend, backend…)

• Architects (technical, solution, security…)

• Business analysts

• Product owners

• Project managers ...