Understanding Vague Project Requirements: A Lesson in Clarity and Communication

Hello Readers,

Today, I’d like to share a recent experience that highlights the importance of clear communication and precise requirements in development projects. Sometimes, vague directives can lead to misunderstandings, wasted effort, and frustration — as I learned firsthand.

The Scenario

I was assigned a task with a simple instruction: “Create the brand’s look and feel.” The task lacked specifics — there were no wireframes, style guides, mockups, or visual references. The only asset provided was the logo. Naturally, I interpreted this as an invitation to develop the visual identity, including color schemes, typography, and overall design consistency.

My Approach

To ensure maintainability and scalability, I built a theming system where a single configuration change could update the colors and fonts across the entire application. This approach aimed to create a flexible, reusable foundation that could adapt to future design tweaks.

The Outcome

On presentation day, I shared the results. However, I received feedback that the intended scope was much narrower: merely making the login screen visually appealing with the brand’s colors. I proposed extending the theming system to accommodate this, but I received no response. Within hours, I was informed that I was being removed from the project.

Reflections and Lessons

Up to that point, I hadn’t encountered any formal negative feedback, only a brief, somewhat dismissive comment from the project manager during a daily stand-up: “I’m busy because I actually work,” which felt unprofessional and uncalled for.

This experience raises important questions:

• When a ticket simply says “create the brand’s look and feel,” what do stakeholders truly expect?
• Was my focus on developing a comprehensive, scalable theme system misplaced given the instructions?
• How can we better clarify vague requirements to prevent misunderstandings and ensure everyone is aligned?

Your Insights

If you’ve faced similar situations, how did you navigate them? Have you encountered requests that lacked clarity, and how did you ensure your work met expectations?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on handling ambiguous project directives and maintaining effective communication.

Thanks for reading!