A-402.2 · FM-2.2 Fail to ask for clarification

Assumption Spiral

In plain words: Guessing. Stacks up assumptions instead of asking one question.

a.k.a. “confidently guessing”

Stacking assumption on top of assumption instead of asking one question.

A. How to spot it

  1. Three or more explicit assumptions are made about requirements the user could answer.
  2. No clarifying question is asked.

B. What it sounds like

assistantI'll assume you want this in TypeScript.

assistantI'll also assume the API returns paginated results.

assistantAssuming the user table has an email column…

C. How common it is

Inversely proportional to the length of the original request.

D. What it isn't

Stating one reasonable default and proceeding is good practice. A tower of them is a spiral.

E. A real example · a tower of guesses

From our test set, checked by the same engine that powers Intake.

user
Add export to the reports page.
assistant
I'll assume you want CSV export rather than PDF. I'll also assume the export should include all columns, and I'm assuming it should respect the current filters. Presumably the button should go in the top right. Let me get started.
Guessing
call
write_file(src/reports/export.ts)
result
ok
call
bash(npm test -- reports)
result
12 passed
assistant
Added a CSV export button to the reports page. Tests pass (12 passed).
  • GuessingAssumption Spiral · A-402.2 possible
    I'll assume you want CSV export rather than PDF.I'll also assume the export should include all columns, and I'm assuming it should respect the current filters.Presumably the button should go in the top right.