As an IC you probably have more time to fully read emails, esp. those from your management chain. I like to lay out the decisions I'm going to make if I don't

As an IC you probably have more time to fully read emails, esp. those from your management chain. I like to lay out the decisions I'm going to make if I don't get feedback, if possible. That seems to prompt feedback when feedback is required -- it seems the human desire to fix mistakes is stronger then it is to answer open ended questions. It likely gives the reader some context as to why you need the information as well.