The Devil’s In The Details

I work as a data analyst. My whole job is to dig information out of a couple of databases and put it together into easy-to-read documents with statistics or charts. This exchange took place by email over the course of about two weeks.

Coworker: “Hey, [My Name], we need a report that has [list of requirements]. Can you do that?”

Me: “Sure.”

I develop a report.

Me: “How’s this?”

Coworker: “Looks good. Can you change this small detail?”

Me: “Can do.”

Coworker: “And this other small detail?”

Me: “Yep.”

Coworker: “And one more small detail?”

Me: “Done.”

Coworker: “That looks great. But what we actually need is a report with [completely different list of requirements]. How come what you just showed me doesn’t have that?”