Started fine, clarified scope with the TL, got agreement on everything.
Acknowledge that requirements will evolve and propose an iterative design process. Start by clarifying the core problem and constraints, then design a flexible architecture that can accommodate changes. Throughout, explicitly state your assumptions and how you would validate them with stakeholders.
Pro tip: Embrace changes as opportunities to demonstrate adaptability; proactively suggest how the design can evolve, and document trade-offs to show you're thinking about long-term maintainability.
Ask questions to understand the core problem, functional and non-functional requirements, and constraints. Identify what is fixed versus what might change.
State your assumptions explicitly and agree on a minimal viable scope. This creates a baseline for the design and highlights areas of uncertainty.
Propose a modular architecture with clear interfaces and abstractions. Use design patterns that support extensibility, such as microservices, event-driven architecture, or pluggable components.
As requirements change, revisit the design, assess impact, and adjust. Communicate trade-offs and involve stakeholders in prioritization.
Ensure the design meets current requirements and document decisions, assumptions, and potential future changes. Plan for testing and monitoring to validate the design in production.
AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.