You can't design everything in minutes. Scoping is critical.
Include in scope:
- Core user flows
- Primary data model
- Key architectural decisions
Explicitly defer:
- Admin features
- Edge cases
- Advanced optimizations
How to scope: "For this interview, I'll focus on the main feed experience. I'll defer admin moderation and analytics to keep us focused. Does that work?"
Interview tip: Stating what you're deferring shows you understand the full scope but can prioritize.