Getting the answer you need.
WHY IT MATTERS
A poor question wastes two people's time and produces a useless answer.
WHAT A GOOD QUESTION CONTAINS
What you are trying to achieve What you have already tried What happened What you expected What specifically you are asking
WHY THE ATTEMPT MATTERS
It prevents suggestions you have already exhausted.
WHAT TO DO BEFORE ASKING
Check whether the answer is written somewhere.
WHY
It is frequently is, and asking anyway is noticed.
HOW LONG TO TRY FIRST
A bounded period, decided in advance.
WHY BOUNDED
Struggling silently for hours costs more than asking.
WHAT TO AVOID
Asking whether you may ask a question Asking whether anyone is available Asking a vague question hoping for direction
WHY THOSE FAIL
They require an exchange before the actual question.
WHAT TO ASK INSTEAD
The question itself, with context.
WHAT TO DO IF THE ANSWER IS UNCLEAR
Say what you understood, and ask whether it is right.
WHAT TO DO AFTER GETTING AN ANSWER
Say what you did with it.
WHY
It closes the loop and makes people willing to help again.
WHAT TO DO IF THE ANSWER WAS HARD TO FIND
Write it down somewhere others will find it.
WHAT THAT BUILDS
Documentation, from the questions that were actually asked.
