This is a big pet peeve of mine. When someone acts like “an order taker.”

What do I mean by that? You get a request or a task which is dependent on inputs from someone else, and you just pass it through. You copy and paste into your document and pass it on. You accept the requirements. You don’t question. You just fill the order.

Does it take a lot more work to ask questions and ask for clarification? You bet. But if it passes through your hands, it’s now yours. You’ve taken their inputs and incorporated it into your output: whether it’s a report, a system enhancement, a change request.  So if you had no idea what they were talking about, it doesn’t put you in the best position to defend what you did. And “that’s what they said” isn’t a great explanation.

Ask the questions. Make sure you understand what they’re trying to convey. They may get irritated, but explain why you’re asking… because you want the best possible outcome. And don’t constantly send it back with lots of little comments or questions. Set up a meeting, walk through it, and if need be, take the pen. Everyone will be better off.