Identifying early warning signals in specs

Even when dependencies, constraints, and assumptions are well documented, their impact can shift over time. Small changes in context often signal deeper problems ahead. Learning to spot these warning signs in a specification helps teams react before issues turn into blockers.

Early signs might include vague ownership of critical dependencies, inconsistent timelines between teams, or assumptions that remain unverified after several sprints. Another indicator is a growing gap between planned and actual delivery dates, often revealing an overlooked external constraint. When such patterns appear, they should prompt a review of the DCA section of the specification rather than isolated troubleshooting.

Detecting these signals requires curiosity and regular attention. Specifications are not static but evolve as the product does. Reviewing them in sync with sprint retrospectives or roadmap updates ensures that potential risks are caught when they are still manageable.