ambiguous task
[əmˈbɪɡjuəs tæsk]
nounpl: ambiguous tasks
tarefa ambígua
1. A task or assignment whose objectives, requirements, or expected outcomes are unclear or open to multiple interpretations
The manager gave us an ambiguous task without clear deadlines or success metrics.
O gerente nos deu uma tarefa ambígua sem prazos claros ou métricas de sucesso.
2. Work that lacks sufficient detail or instruction, making it difficult to determine the correct approach or completion criteria
Students struggled with the ambiguous task because the instructions were vague and contradictory.
Os alunos tiveram dificuldade com a tarefa ambígua porque as instruções eram vagas e contraditórias.
In Brazilian corporate culture, ambiguous tasks are often a source of frustration and are frequently addressed in meetings as 'falta de clareza' (lack of clarity). In American workplaces, ambiguous tasks are often seen as an opportunity for employee autonomy, though this can lead to miscommunication. The term is commonly used in psychology, cognitive science, and management literature to describe tasks designed for research purposes.
NYC Slang
a sketchy task / a task that's all over the place
Related Idioms & Phrases
leave someone in the dark
speak in riddles
it's not rocket science (when contrasting with ambiguous tasks)
crystal clear (antonym idiom)
mixed signals
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