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How to Clarify Requirements in a System Design Interview
Last Updated: December 24, 2025
Ashish Pratap Singh
14 min read
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How to Clarify Requirements in a System Design Int...
Why Requirements Clarification Matters
The Two Types of Requirements
Functional Requirements
Non-Functional Requirements
A Framework for Requirements Clarification
Requirements Questions by System Type
Social Media Systems (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook...
Messaging Systems (WhatsApp, Slack, Discord)
E-commerce Systems (Amazon, Shopify)
Storage/File Systems (Dropbox, Google Drive)
Location-Based Systems (Uber, Maps)
Streaming Systems (Netflix, YouTube)
Sample Dialogues for Common Problems
Example 1: Design a URL Shortener
Example 2: Design a Rate Limiter
Example 3: Design a Notification System
Handling Vague or Difficult Interviewers
Common Mistakes to Avoid
How Requirements Drive Design Decisions
Key Takeaways
References
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