Rethink Solution

Perform an independent second design pass. Treat “it works” as necessary but not sufficient. Seek the simplest solution that fully satisfies the real requirements and remains maintainable.

Reconstruct the target

1. Restate the required outcome, constraints, invariants, and likely failure modes from the source request and available evidence.
2. Separate explicit requirements from assumptions. Do not invent new scope merely to improve the solution.
3. Inspect the actual artifact, relevant surrounding system, and validation results. Do not review only a summary of the work.

Challenge the solution

Re-derive a reasonable approach as if the existing solution did not exist, then compare it with what was built.

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