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Choose a Communication Format That Fits the Task
Communication formats are tools for a task, not a universal ranking. A short written instruction, a conversation and a diagram can each be appropriate. Choose the format by what the audience needs to understand, decide or do.
Match the format to the information
Use a stable written resource for details people must refer to later. Use discussion when clarification is likely to change the response. A visual can explain relationships, but essential meaning should remain available to people who cannot use the image.
Decide whether interaction is needed
A notification and a consultation have different purposes. Identify whether a response is expected, how it should arrive and who monitors it. An unmonitored mailbox should not be presented as an open conversation.
Keep the record of decisions
After a meeting or call, record the agreed action, owner and relevant conditions. Separate a proposal from an approved commitment. Provide the information necessary for a colleague to continue the task without interpreting a vague summary.
Check accessibility and understanding
Use language appropriate to the audience and supply alternatives where a format creates a barrier. W3C describes accessible writing and media support. Ask whether the recipient can complete the intended task, rather than judging communication only by how polished the presentation looks.