"but I'll still keep coding based on that assumption."
That's terrible advice. If you're unsure of what you're supposed to be doing, you should close the computer and start exploring your options with pen and paper before doing more damage.
If you keep going based on assumption, you drive halfway across the country in the wrong direction like in Dumb and Dumber.
Sometimes it's better to do nothing at all than to inflict damage because you didn't know what you were supposed to be doing.
Personally, I don't view "wrote a bunch of code based on an incorrect assumption" as "damage." At worst, you have to revert to what you started with and rewrite it. What were you going to be doing in that time anyway?
Basically, when I hit a roadblock that I can't get around by working on something else while I wait for clarification, my process is as follows:
1. List my options.
2. Pick the best one.
3. Send an email to my boss outlining the possible options, and note that I've picked what I think is the best possible option.
4. Continue coding and know that I might have to rewrite that feature if my assumption was incorrect.
If you're right, great - it wasn't a roadblock. If you're wrong, you modify or rewrite... which isn't too big of a deal, as you would have been picking your belly button lint while waiting for an answer anyway.
It's not like driving the wrong direction. Lets say you build 3 systems and only one gets used. You are still getting 3x the experience and your revelations could end up being very valuable for the system that does get used.
I agree with the grandparent 100%, but there can be risk as you indicate. The implication is the risk is situational and hardly ever applies. I too drive forward on assumptions, and I get a lot done, more importantly, I get a lot done that my boss CARES about. Thus, even though I only actually work a few hours a month, I'm perceived as a high achiever. There's a lot of wisdom in what the gp says, take heed!
That's terrible advice. If you're unsure of what you're supposed to be doing, you should close the computer and start exploring your options with pen and paper before doing more damage.
If you keep going based on assumption, you drive halfway across the country in the wrong direction like in Dumb and Dumber.
Sometimes it's better to do nothing at all than to inflict damage because you didn't know what you were supposed to be doing.