"Default forward": How I write to my clients to avoid getting stuck

This is what the Navy calls "Command by negation". It is very successful if a team can build up a reputation and trust to make good, successful decisions.

This is how we're communicating internally with our management as well. We don't ask if we should re-prioritize X to Y or not. We tell them that based upon the dev roadmap presented, we're going to put X on hold to get Y through the door at the deadline sales apparently has sold. They can intervene, or not. But if they don't, that's what we will make happen. We move. Direct us, or accept where we end up.

I think this is a good strategy overall. However the particular example here could be more explicit, e.g. “unless you have objections, I will start implementing this design next week” etc.

As it’s written, it’s a bit ambiguous whether any action or response is required from the client.