That, my friend, is what working with vague requirements feels like. 🎨 Whether you’re developing software, designing a product, or planning an event, unclear expectations lead to confusion, wasted effort, and—ultimately—a result that leaves everyone scratching their heads.
The Challenge: The Fog of Unclear Requirements
Think about it. Someone says, “We need a new feature for the website.” Great! But what kind of feature? What should it do? Who is it for? Without clear answers, we’re all just fumbling in the dark, hoping our brushes somehow land in the right spot.
In the world of business analysis and project delivery, vague or unclear requirements are the silent assassins of success. One moment, everyone’s smiling in the kick-off meeting. A few sprints later, stakeholders are whispering things like “That’s not what I meant” and “Why is the search button in the footer?”
Vague or unclear requirements are the fog in our project landscape. They lead to:
• 🤔Mismatched Expectations: What the client envisions and what the team builds can be miles apart. Cue the awkward reveal.
• 😡Wasted Effort: Teams might build the wrong things, leading to rework and unnecessary stress. Nobody likes re-painting a whole section because the nose ended up on the forehead.
• 😏Delays: Going back and forth to clarify things mid-way slows everything down. It’s like realizing halfway through your painting that you’re using the wrong size canvas!
It’s like building a house based on someone’s dream… but they only describe it as “nice vibes, lots of windows, and a kitchen that feels inspired.”
So, How Do We Clear the Fog?
Glad you asked. Here’s the AKILI approach:
1. Ask Clarifying Questions (Even the “Dumb” Ones)
Don’t be shy! Probing questions early on help define the scope and uncover hidden details. One of the most powerful things a business analyst can do is ask. Not just any questions—clarifying ones. Don’t be shy to go back to basics.
• “What exactly do you mean by ‘fast’?”
• “Who will use this?”
• “What does success look like for this feature?”
Even if you think you “should” know, ask anyway. Assumptions are the potholes of analysis.
2. Define Scope Early (Then Guard It Like a Bouncer)
Scope creep is real. If the scope isn’t clearly defined from the start, it becomes a moving target. One minute you’re designing a landing page. Next minute? It’s a full e-commerce platform with drone delivery.
Agree on what’s in and what’s out—and revisit that agreement regularly.
3. Use Visual Models (Because Words Are Sneaky)
Sometimes, words just aren’t enough. Using visual aids like mock-ups and diagrams helps everyone get on the same page. Words can be interpreted a million ways. Visuals? Way harder to misunderstand.
• A mock-up shows what the screen will actually look like.
• A process flow makes it clear who does what, when, and how.
• A data model lays out relationships that even non-techies can grasp.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, a prototype is worth a thousand meetings.
4. Review Frequently (Think of It Like Iterative Eye Tests)
Don’t wait until the end to get feedback. Schedule reviews and walkthroughs early and often. That way, if something’s off, you catch it before it becomes an iceberg. It’s like showing your in-progress sketch to the subject to make sure you’re capturing their essence.
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So, How Do We Clear the Fog?
Glad you asked. Here are a few approaches to consider:
1. Use Cases – Describe how a user interacts with the system. They tell the story of why someone uses the system, not just what it does. Perfect for identifying edge cases and exceptions early on.
2. User Stories – Bite-sized chunks of functionality that focus on value. “As a user, I want…” is a beautiful thing. They help teams stay focused on outcomes, not features. When done right, they drive meaningful conversations about what really matters.
3. Prototyping – Nothing beats seeing (and clicking through) what you’re building. Prototypes turn abstract ideas into something real enough to critique, iterate, and improve—before code gets involved.
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Final Thought: Be the Clear-Eyed Artist
Clear requirements aren’t just about efficiency—they’re about respect. They save time, reduce frustration, and ensure that what gets delivered is actually what was needed. So, next time you’re handed a foggy set of instructions, channel your inner detective. Ask, visualize, and validate. Otherwise, you might just end up painting another potato.
What are your experiences with unclear requirements? Share your stories in the comments below!
Let’s ditch the blindfolds, clear the fog with good communication and the right tools, and create something truly remarkable together. Until next time, keep asking, keep sketching, and never settle for fuzzy.
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Oupa Laka blends problem-solving with a dash of humour to make complex ideas simple.
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