Many techniques for improving the performance of working software
are patterns in disguise.

Time-proven techniques for improving software performance often have to be searched
out (some good ones exist in the book ProgrammingPearls).  Once
found, perhaps they should be re-cast as Patterns. 

These aren't design patterns, they seem more like troubleshooting
patterns.  Patterns to help you improve things that may
or may not be solidly built. Perhaps, they can be called
Healing Patterns.

-- ToddCoram

KentBeck and KenAuer did a fine job of documenting some performance
tuning patterns in their submission to PLoP'95.  Perhaps Kent or
Ken would like to submit them to the ppr...

-- KyleBrown