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Microsoft Program Manager Mock Interview

Question 16 of 30 for our Microsoft Program Manager Mock Interview

Microsoft was written by on May 9th, 2022. Learn more here.

Question 16 of 30

Describe your preferred project or program kickoff process.

"Program kickoff events are incredibly valuable for setting the tone of the initiative and establishing teams that are aligned and ready to begin work. I like to begin by reviewing all of the discovery deliverables that are available. This includes individual project charters, roadmaps, and technical architecture documents. I use these to compile a presentation that communicates high-level information from each of these areas.

Next, I request presentation time and support from the leaders across all of the areas involved in the program. This might include IT, PMO, finance, operations, legal, marketing, product management, and support groups. I prefer to have the leaders of each group speak about their business needs that will be met by the program as well as how their team will contribute to the success.

I invite whatever group of attendees makes the most sense for the kickoff. This depends on the scale of the program. If possible, I like to invite everyone who will be actively working to develop the solutions involved. I find that offering everyone the opportunity to hear the business goals, strategic plan, and the technical architecture changes that will support the plan helps to establish buy-in and alignment. It is also a valuable networking opportunity amongst project and business leads. It doesn't always make sense to include everyone, so I try to record these meetings as well to allow project managers to share them with all of their team members.

At the end of a kickoff, I like to close with a clear set of next steps. I prefer that everyone has the same expectation of what will happen next and how program communication will work. Additionally, I include time for questions. After that, the teams get to work on their individual tasks, and I work to communicate updates to the entire group as we go along. I assist in whatever way I can during this period because it is critical to morale and is usually the time in which we identify issues that need senior-level assistance."

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How to Answer: Describe your preferred project or program kickoff process.

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Microsoft job interview.

  • 16. Describe your preferred project or program kickoff process.

      Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

      Program managers are often responsible for coordinating large project and program level kickoff activities. This question may be asked in a Microsoft interview to assess a candidate's process for managing these important activities and related ceremonies.

      Written by Karrie Day on May 9th, 2022

      Remember To

      Remember to describe the activities that typically occur prior to program kickoff as well as the discovery deliverables you lean on to drive kickoff presentations. Also, be sure to describe the various groups or attendees for any meetings you include within your response.

      Written by Karrie Day on May 9th, 2022

      Answer Example

      "Program kickoff events are incredibly valuable for setting the tone of the initiative and establishing teams that are aligned and ready to begin work. I like to begin by reviewing all of the discovery deliverables that are available. This includes individual project charters, roadmaps, and technical architecture documents. I use these to compile a presentation that communicates high-level information from each of these areas.

      Next, I request presentation time and support from the leaders across all of the areas involved in the program. This might include IT, PMO, finance, operations, legal, marketing, product management, and support groups. I prefer to have the leaders of each group speak about their business needs that will be met by the program as well as how their team will contribute to the success.

      I invite whatever group of attendees makes the most sense for the kickoff. This depends on the scale of the program. If possible, I like to invite everyone who will be actively working to develop the solutions involved. I find that offering everyone the opportunity to hear the business goals, strategic plan, and the technical architecture changes that will support the plan helps to establish buy-in and alignment. It is also a valuable networking opportunity amongst project and business leads. It doesn't always make sense to include everyone, so I try to record these meetings as well to allow project managers to share them with all of their team members.

      At the end of a kickoff, I like to close with a clear set of next steps. I prefer that everyone has the same expectation of what will happen next and how program communication will work. Additionally, I include time for questions. After that, the teams get to work on their individual tasks, and I work to communicate updates to the entire group as we go along. I assist in whatever way I can during this period because it is critical to morale and is usually the time in which we identify issues that need senior-level assistance."

      Written by Karrie Day on May 9th, 2022

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