Received fuzzy direction from your boss? Trying to extract clarity about the best path forward when people aren’t aligned? Need to “force” a decision from a stakeholder so you can move ahead sooner?
The best tactic I know is to present 2 distinct scenarios. The two should cover a range of possible interpretations of whatever fuzzy direction you have. If one is a variation of the other make it a significant variation. You want A and B to generate distinctly different “feel” as you present them.
This gives you a strong platform for discussion and dialogue. You’re likely to create a better variation that everyone prefers. If you can’t get a decision between A and B you’re still likely to learn what additional information will be required to reach a decision.
Expert mode: Create a 3rd alternative which you KNOW is completely unacceptable. It’s an intentional throwaway that helps keep the focus on a scenario you strongly prefer. You lay it out as one of the three, then immediately get agreement that it’s not the right approach. You have some alignment with very little effort – alignment that make further alignment easier.
