Software stakeholders and users approach technology through the lens of their cultural norms and worldviews. As software designers, we often introduce new concepts and terminology to better address those needs. This can mean adapting or even reshaping their cultural perspectives. But culture, by nature, seeks consistency and conformity, providing a framework to our daily chaos. This consistency can make language and models rigid, often leading to ambiguity. So, how can we navigate and reshape these ingrained cultural perspectives and behaviours during software design?

Join us for an insightful discussion on the dynamic interplay between organisational culture and software design. We delve into the crucial role of culture in influencing software design, with a focus on 'symbols' as a key cultural element. Our presentation will feature real-world examples that showcase how language, as a cultural symbol, has significant implications in both domain-specific and software contexts. We will explore methods to understand the cultural importance of these symbols, guiding participants in either adapting to work effectively with them or using strategies and heuristics to change them. Our conclusion will present a series of case studies where various techniques and heuristics were applied in collaborative software design. These cases will highlight both successful and failed experiences in navigating and reshaping cultural symbols and behaviours.