I recently had an interesting question during a job interview that I think might come up in similar situations. The interviewer asked how I would react if I noticed a deadline for a project wouldn't be met. At first, I was taken aback because I typically plan carefully and feel confident about meeting my deadlines. But now, looking back and reflecting on my answer, I believe my approach should be: 1. I generally don't expect to miss deadlines since I'm confident in my planning. 2. However, if things start to go off track, I would inform the relevant parties as soon as possible. 3. I'd try to simplify the task or break it down into smaller parts to deliver incrementally. 4. Finally, I'd assess if it's possible to postpone without negatively impacting the overall project. I feel like I might have missed an opportunity to respond clearly at the time. What do you all think about this approach?
4 Answers
Being upfront about missing a deadline is key. It might block some processes, and if someone else is depending on your work, they need to know right away to avoid complications.
This question is really insightful. A lot of people might just say 'I never miss a deadline' without considering what really happens behind the scenes when unexpected issues arise. What employers want to hear is how you handle situations where you might not meet a deadline, not just that you claim you always do.
As a dev manager, I often explain what I can deliver realistically. If I see a deadline slipping, I communicate that immediately and provide a revised estimate. It's crucial to let your management know as soon as possible so that they can adjust expectations and resources.
It's totally normal to miss deadlines sometimes—life happens! But when you realize you're in that situation, the best move is to notify your team or stakeholders immediately. Early communication allows everyone to chip in, whether that's by easing the project scope or bringing in more resources. Just remember, keeping it to yourself and grinding through can lead to burnout, which isn't healthy for anyone.
Exactly, and reducing the project scope can really help. It's better to share what you can realistically do by the deadline than to promise too much.
True! And you can't always control every deadline; sometimes, they come from higher up. Just make sure to communicate any changes.