In Guidewire InsuranceSuite implementations, validating assumptions during requirements gathering is essential to delivering predictable outcomes and business value.Unvalidated assumptionsoften occur when analysts or stakeholders presume system behavior, business rules, or data availability without confirmation through elaboration, demonstrations, or stakeholder review.
Two of the most common impacts of unvalidated assumptions arerequirements in conflictandincreased unplanned downstream impacts, makingOptions B and Dthe correct answers.
When assumptions are not validated, different stakeholders may interpret requirements differently. This frequently leads toconflicting requirements, such as incompatible workflows, contradictory business rules, or mismatched expectations across teams. These conflicts often surface later during development or testing, when changes are more costly to resolve.
Unvalidated assumptions also lead tounplanned downstream impacts. For example, an assumption about product behavior may later require changes to integrations, data models, or reporting. In Guidewire projects, such late discoveries can impact multiple components—rules, PCF, product model, and integrations—causing schedule delays and rework.
The remaining options are less directly related. Longer code reviews (Option A) and increased unit test defects (Option C) may occur indirectly but are not the primary or most likely impacts. Higher sprint velocity (Option E) is the opposite of what typically happens; velocity usually decreases due to rework and scope churn.
Validating assumptions early through elaboration, story huddles, and product demonstrations is a key Guidewire Analyst responsibility to minimize risk and protect delivery timelines.
