Practice

Fictional sample answer written by JoRoute to show the shape of a strong answer. Do not copy it: replace every detail with what is true for you.

First I would ask the manager one question: what decision will the numbers support? That tells me which numbers matter, because stakeholders often need one figure, not a full report. Then I would confirm in writing what I will deliver and by when, for example weekly sales by region by 10 a.m. Next I would send a first version early with its limits stated, so there is time for a second request. At my last job in Chicago I handled about two requests like this a week, and asking that one question cut rework by roughly half.