Your Small Imprecise Ask Is a Big Waste of Their Time

Engineering leaders often unintentionally waste team time through vague requests, causing massive inefficiencies and misaligned efforts. This article reveals how imprecise asks can spiral into over-engineered projects or misguided work, and provides concrete strategies for leaders to communicate expectations precisely, such as explicitly defining time investment, prioritization, and the ultimate purpose of a task. By teaching both managers and team members to ask clarifying questions and set clear boundaries, the piece offers a practical blueprint for reducing organizational friction and maximizing productive work.