How to Answer: Describe a time when you had to sacrifice quality due to budgetary, resource, or time constraints.
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Program Manager job interview.
32. Describe a time when you had to sacrifice quality due to budgetary, resource, or time constraints.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Interviewers understand constraints and the need to make concessions when delivering technology solutions. They ask this question to determine how a candidate ensures that the sacrifices made are intelligently selected based on need and value.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include the details of how you supported a client through a difficult situation due to constraints. Interviewers understand that the outcome of the situation was less than optimal, but are interested in hiring candidates that add value and offer excellent customer service even when options are limited.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Answer Example
"A team I managed developed a strategy for a phased approach to improving the data entry and calculation for a multi-step workflow that had too many touch-points that resulted in errors. We implemented the first round of improvements based on their frequency of use and the impact they had on the business overall when the manual pieces of the process were handled incorrectly.
My team and I delivered several successful features and then the executive management within the business paused the project to shift resources to a need they perceived as more important. This change in direction left a portion of my users leveraging a half-developed solution that was painful and not what was originally promised. I worked with their management to shift resources to provide additional support during peak business times. Additionally, I asked the analysts on my team to provide extra reporting and query support. Eventually, our development team was able to circle back around and deliver the entire solution as it was originally designed. Our customers appreciated our commitment to customer service during this difficult time."
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022