[r_hoods_ghost]

Yeah the agile manifesto has some problems and I feel like the bits that are problematic (like information is best transmitted face to face) are often pursued, while the bits that are really important (people over processes) are often ignored. I mean an entire, widely followed cult (scrum) has grown up around the idea that process is more important than people and that if you just follow the process everything will be amazing.

On topic. I think it depends on the information. Factual information, design requirements, anything quantitative, anything that needs to be referred back to, should be communicated in writing. Justifications and decision making however is often best done face to face as the latency is kept to a minimum. Asking someone why did you take this decision, why that, how about, could we? over email takes a lot of time, whereas doing it face to face allows you to quickly bang through all the important questions and sign off on decisions.

Really important thing in these types of meetings is to have a note taker / scribe who is independent, or get an automated transcript so you can refer back, especially if you are working in an adversarial environment with competing interests / views.