Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a project that was behind schedule. How did you handle it?
Theme: Project Management, Problem Solving Role: Technical Project Manager Function: Technology
Interview Question for Technical Project Manager: See sample answers, motivations & red flags for this common interview question. About Technical Project Manager: Manage technology projects from inception to completion. This role falls within the Technology function of a firm. See other interview questions & further information for this role here
Sample Answer
Example response for question delving into Project Management, Problem Solving with the key points that need to be covered in an effective response. Customize this to your own experience with concrete examples and evidence
- Project Background: Provide a brief overview of the project and its objectives
- Identifying the Delay: Explain how you identified that the project was behind schedule
- Root Cause Analysis: Describe the steps you took to identify the root cause of the delay
- Developing a Recovery Plan: Explain how you developed a plan to get the project back on track
- Communication & Collaboration: Discuss how you communicated with the team and stakeholders about the delay and the recovery plan
- Implementing the Recovery Plan: Detail the actions you took to implement the recovery plan
- Monitoring & Adjusting: Explain how you monitored the progress and made adjustments to ensure the project stayed on track
- Successful Outcome: Share the result of your efforts and how the project was successfully completed within the revised timeline
Underlying Motivations
What the Interviewer is trying to find out about you and your experiences through this question
- Problem-solving skills: How you handled the situation and resolved the issue of a project being behind schedule
- Time management: Your ability to effectively manage time and prioritize tasks to bring the project back on track
- Leadership: How you motivated and guided the team to overcome challenges and meet project deadlines
- Communication: Your communication skills in addressing the issue with stakeholders, team members, and superiors
Potential Minefields
How to avoid some common minefields when answering this question in order to not raise any red flags
- Blaming others: Avoid blaming others or pointing fingers when discussing a project that was behind schedule. Take responsibility for your role and focus on problem-solving
- Lack of ownership: Avoid showing a lack of ownership or accountability for the project's delay. Instead, emphasize how you took initiative to address the issue and get the project back on track
- Ineffective communication: Avoid mentioning poor communication as the sole reason for the project's delay. Instead, highlight how you improved communication channels and ensured everyone was on the same page
- Lack of adaptability: Avoid showing an inability to adapt to changing circumstances or unexpected challenges. Instead, demonstrate your flexibility and ability to adjust project plans to overcome delays
- Lack of problem-solving skills: Avoid appearing unable to come up with effective solutions to address the project's delay. Instead, discuss how you analyzed the situation, identified bottlenecks, and implemented strategies to mitigate the delay