The export request
A customer wants a CSV button. The real need is still unclear. · PM Drills · 01 · 30 sec–2 min
The export request · 30 sec–2 min
Situation
“We need CSV export.”
A large customer asks to export every order each Friday. Sales wants to add it to the sprint because the request sounds small.
Think before scrolling
What would you investigate first?
Name two questions that reveal the workflow after export. What would distinguish a reporting need from a reconciliation or integration need?
How a strong PM thinks
Follow the file into the next task.
Ask to see the last time they did this work. Where does the data go, which fields matter, and what manual changes happen next? Check frequency, volume, permissions, and the cost of errors.
A stable accounting export may solve the need. A general report builder may be excessive, while a weekly file may be inadequate for a real-time integration.
Takeaway
Investigate the job after the button.
The requested mechanism is useful evidence. Choose a solution after understanding what successful downstream work looks like.