CUE

How to implement

This framework is best used when you need to message somebody but don’t want to derail their focus. For example, sending that Slack message to let them know you want to chat about something.

The order doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is you provide all 3 pieces of information.

Context
Provide the context of what you need to message/chat about.

Urgency
Let them know how big of a deal this message is to you.

Expectation
Give some detail on what you expect from the reader.

Example

Sending a Slack or Teams message to a peer because you want to chat about some wierd data in the latest sales report.

Bad Example that causes context-switching

”Hey, can you chat?”

Gooed example that uses CUE

”Hey, this isn’t an urgent issue [Urgency]. Feel free to answer any time today [Expectation]. I noticed the sales dates in the latest sales report all seem to be off by 1 day and I wanted to get your insight on the queries [Context].”

I imagine you receive lots of messages like the first example. They seem harmless, but, without any detail or context, they disrupt any thought process by making you wonder what the heck they need to chat about.

The second message that uses CUE, gives all the cues necessary for how to process that message.

So, CUE your messages correctly and save your peers some sanity.