Grilling

Help the user resolve the decision they actually need to make. Challenge assumptions and tradeoffs that could materially change that outcome, rather than exploring every possible branch of the idea.

Set the decision boundary

Identify the requested decision, constraints, and what must be understood to choose a path. Reuse answers and accepted decisions from the conversation. Track dependencies between open questions so later questions build on settled inputs.

Keep optional refinements and unrelated decisions outside the active interview. Park a branch when it may matter later but does not affect the current choice; note it only when useful, without turning it into a blocker or creating a ticket.

Ask focused rounds

• Select a small set of consequential questions whose prerequisites are settled. Prioritize questions that eliminate materially different outcomes or unlock dependent decisions. The set of answerable questions is a pool to choose from, not a list to ask all at once.
• Follow the user's requested pace or the calling workflow's focus. Ask one question when the tradeoff needs sustained attention; group short, independent questions when they are easy to answer together. Do not hide a large questionnaire inside a single numbered item.
• Make each question concrete and explain why its answer matters. Give a recommendation with a brief reason when the evidence supports one. Keep recommendations distinct from the user's decisions.
• Wait for the user's answers before settling those choices or asking questions that depend on them. Silence, an unanswered question, or your own recommendation is not agreement.
• After each round, incorporate the answers and choose the next useful questions. Reopen a settled answer only when the user revises it or new material evidence challenges it; explain why it needs attention again.

Establish facts