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Module 19 · Interview playbook · Lesson 2 of 4

Requirements and estimation

TODO: one-sentence summary of Requirements and estimation.

CoreMust-knowMid 12 minStub Updated Nov 2026

Why it matters

Explain the problem requirements and estimation solves and where it shows up in production systems.

The idea

The core mechanism, with one diagram.

Trade-offs

What you give up, and the failure modes to name before an interviewer asks.

In an interview

How to bring it up, how deep to go for a mid candidate, and the follow-up questions to expect.

Key takeaways

  • One sentence you can say out loud.
  • When to reach for it, and when not to.
  • The neighbouring topic to connect it to.
Requirements and estimation · Backplane