Lack of clarity occurs when instructions, goals, priorities, or success criteria are too vague to guide assigned work. In delegation and expectation-setting, it can create misunderstandings, open-ended questions, misaligned expectations, and poor results. section 5.6 section 11.2.1
Make expectations clearer by checking:
- What outcome is expected, and how will successful completion be recognized? section 11.2.1
- What timeline, prerequisites, dependencies, priorities, and supporting documentation apply? section 11.2.1
- Who can provide guidance, and whether regular progress reports or prioritization help are needed. section 11.2.1
- Whether the assigned person has the skills required, since a mismatch can make expectations unrealistic. section 11.2.1
A vague deployment request
Asking Bob to deploy code changes may sound straightforward, but it can raise questions about prerequisites, timing, documentation, support, reporting, and the expected result. Asking precise questions turns assumptions into shared expectations. section 11.2.1
