The Rule of Three Interpretations

Whenever I’m aware that I’m making an interpretation, I have another choice: I can allow myself to know that more than one interpretation is possible. A good check on premature interpretation is the Rule of Three Interpretations:
If I can’t think of at least three different interpretations of what I received, I haven’t thought enough about what it might mean.
This rule slows down the Interpretation step and gives me, the receiver, a chance to engage my brain before using my mouth. Even after I have thought of three possible interpretations, however, I should always be aware of one more possibility: that my list still may not include your intending meaning.
— Jerry Weinberg, Quality Software Management Vol 2, Chapter 6