Can you tell me about a project you managed that failed, and discuss what you learned from this experience?

How to Answer
Answer Example

Nobody likes to discuss their failures or shortcomings, but you can learn to do this in a positive way. The secret is to turn the failure into a learning experience that you can use to help you do your job better in the future. Employers recognize that nobody is perfect, and everybody makes mistakes. The idea is not to allow a failure to be repeated. Ideally, your answer to this question should not involve a project or task you will be required to do for the employer with whom you are interviewing.

"I was recently involved in a project requiring installing a new type of network topology. The technology we are working with had just been released, and we were one of the first customers to implement it. Unfortunately, the hardware had not been properly tested and had many problems. We didn't realize that the supplier was using us as a beta test site. We worked closely with the vendor to iron out the bugs and eventually got the topology implemented. In the end, the network performed as per the specifications. However, the project took longer and cost more than what was budgeted. The lesson I learned from this was to thoroughly vet any new technology before selecting it for the organization."

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How to Answer: Can you tell me about a project you managed that failed, and discuss what you learned from this experience?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for an IT Project Manager job interview.

8. Can you tell me about a project you managed that failed, and discuss what you learned from this experience?

How to Answer

Nobody likes to discuss their failures or shortcomings, but you can learn to do this in a positive way. The secret is to turn the failure into a learning experience that you can use to help you do your job better in the future. Employers recognize that nobody is perfect, and everybody makes mistakes. The idea is not to allow a failure to be repeated. Ideally, your answer to this question should not involve a project or task you will be required to do for the employer with whom you are interviewing.

Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020

Answer Example

"I was recently involved in a project requiring installing a new type of network topology. The technology we are working with had just been released, and we were one of the first customers to implement it. Unfortunately, the hardware had not been properly tested and had many problems. We didn't realize that the supplier was using us as a beta test site. We worked closely with the vendor to iron out the bugs and eventually got the topology implemented. In the end, the network performed as per the specifications. However, the project took longer and cost more than what was budgeted. The lesson I learned from this was to thoroughly vet any new technology before selecting it for the organization."

Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020

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