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Microsoft Program Manager Mock Interview

Question 13 of 30 for our Microsoft Program Manager Mock Interview

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

Question 13 of 30

What strategic planning methods do you have experience with?

"I have experience working with business stakeholders to facilitate SWOT analysis sessions. In these sessions, we develop lists of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats and then determine their impact on the business. I have also worked with the OKR model to develop objectives and key results. This model is useful for helping me develop the key performance indicators for the products I am responsible for.

My background as an analyst helps me to understand how to analyze large data sets and look for trends or data points that indicate various operational problems exist within an organization. From there, I have extensive experience partnering with various subject matter experts to drive out strategic plans for a resolution that specifically aims to resolve the issue and contribute to the business goals that are in alignment with the strategic improvements for the initiative.

From an agile methodology perspective, I have experience facilitating user story mapping sessions, driving out product development epics, and coordinating release plans across the teams within my program."

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How to Answer: What strategic planning methods do you have experience with?

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

  • 13. What strategic planning methods do you have experience with?

      Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

      Strategic analysis is a key skillset for a program manager. Microsoft specifically mentions this skillset within the job descriptions for these types of positions. Interviewers ask this question to determine the scale of a candidate's experience in this area.

      Written by Karrie Day on May 9th, 2022

      Remember To

      Remember to include an example of your ability to identify 'thematic business problems' within your response. You should be able to then clearly demonstrate how you are able to transform those problems into strategic plans for resolution. Also, Microsoft relies heavily on the OKR model. Be sure to mention it within your response if you have experience managing programs that were driven and measured by OKRs.

      Written by Karrie Day on May 9th, 2022

      Answer Example

      "I have experience working with business stakeholders to facilitate SWOT analysis sessions. In these sessions, we develop lists of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats and then determine their impact on the business. I have also worked with the OKR model to develop objectives and key results. This model is useful for helping me develop the key performance indicators for the products I am responsible for.

      My background as an analyst helps me to understand how to analyze large data sets and look for trends or data points that indicate various operational problems exist within an organization. From there, I have extensive experience partnering with various subject matter experts to drive out strategic plans for a resolution that specifically aims to resolve the issue and contribute to the business goals that are in alignment with the strategic improvements for the initiative.

      From an agile methodology perspective, I have experience facilitating user story mapping sessions, driving out product development epics, and coordinating release plans across the teams within my program."

      Written by Karrie Day on May 9th, 2022

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