What are some ways you would coordinate and drive accountability across the various groups within your programs?
Developing and fostering accountable behaviors is a duty that many program manager candidates will be expected to perform at Amazon. Interviewers ask this question to determine how a candidate envisions they will be able to foster a fully accountable environment.
Remember to include accountability methods that can be measured in a variety of ways. This should include observable behaviors and metrics that speak to delivery upon team commitments. Additionally, be sure to demonstrate how you would hold yourself accountable.
"As a program manager at Amazon, I would drive accountability in a number of ways. First, I would foster an environment of accountability between my teams and our stakeholders. This would include setting specific goals and tracking metrics to measure our team's performance against them. I would ensure that we meet regularly to discuss progress and address any issues as early as possible. I would also encourage our stakeholders to be accountable for their participation in the development process. I would ask them to be accountable for regular access to information and subject matter experts as needed.
On a team level, I would encourage our team leaders to ask everyone to make specific commitments, be accountable to them, and hold regular retrospectives. I would personally demonstrate accountability by delivering on the commitments I make to my teammates. I would also leverage transparency and authentic ownership of any mistakes I make in an effort to inspire the same behaviors in others."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
At the beginning of program initiation, I will have a discussion with the groups or people involved to align on their roles and responsibilities to eliminate ambiguity. what had also worked well in the past was to use data and metrics to drive accountability.
Jaymie's Feedback
Setting expectations is key and you included that in your response, great job!
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