I recently had a job interview where I was asked how I would react if I noticed a deadline for a project wouldn't be met. It threw me off a bit because I usually don't plan for failure—when I set a deadline, I'm confident I can meet it. Now that I've had more time to think about it, I realize I could have answered better. I believe I should inform the team immediately if there's an issue, figure out if I can simplify the task, and see if we can push the deadline without affecting the project adversely. What do you think about this approach?
5 Answers
I think the biggest takeaway is to inform your project manager immediately. If you’re facing issues, it’s best to be proactive about it. Everyone needs to be aware of potential delays to adjust their plans accordingly.
It's totally normal to miss deadlines occasionally—life happens! The key is to communicate as soon as you realize there might be an issue. Letting your team know early on can lead to discussions about possibly reducing the scope or getting extra help.
This question is great because some people might just say, 'I never miss deadlines' without explaining how they would handle the situation if it actually happened. Firms want to hear your plan for when things go south.
From experience, deadlines can change unexpectedly, and a good strategy is to raise a red flag as soon as you see a problem. Give a revised estimate and see if the original deadline is still feasible without compromising quality.
Don't forget that sometimes unforeseen events happen, like illnesses or changes in project scope. If you communicate promptly, it opens the door to figuring out alternative solutions together with your team.
Exactly! You also want to inform others of what you can still achieve by the deadline, even if it's not everything.