How to explain to the manager her task?

Question

Project management

Got this from the manager.

Task: Price index for the main DIY chains.
Description: Output to Excel in a table. Charts with descriptions in PDF.

It is not joke! The question is serious, because as a web developer I am required to produce a result, I am on a salary and all that.
I fell into a stupor. Either something is wrong with me, or I'm not catching up with something in this task. I ask for advice, how would you react to such a task? What would you advise me, what would you advise the manager?

Answer 1

Just ask.
Get used to it.
For any developer DIRECTLY working with the customer, the STATEMENT OF TASK stage, consisting of rather lengthy negotiations / clarification of the essence of the problem, is the NORM.

Answer 2

Just talk to that person and ask what she needs. It may turn out that you don’t need Excel or pdf, but a simple web interface will do. And she asked them out of ignorance what could be done differently.
So talk and offer your own solution to the problem, which for you personally will be easier to implement and more convenient to use for it.

Answer 3

Well, what's wrong with that? make inputs in pdf, excel, load the data into a table and display it, if there is no sign of DIY - take it from the net or from a flashlight ("I'll change it to whatever you say")

Answer 4

It is necessary to talk / write letters / communicate and clarify what exactly the customer wants. Although it can be very unpleasant and takes you out of your comfort zone.