How to Answer: What strategic planning methods do you have experience facilitating?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Program Manager job interview.
18. What strategic planning methods do you have experience facilitating?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Strategic analysis is a key skillset for a program manager. Many program-level management roles specifically mention this skillset within the job descriptions for these positions. Interviewers ask this question to determine the depth of a candidate's experience in this area.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 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, include the names of any specific models such as SWOT analysis or OKR goal setting you have experience with.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 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 issues 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 June 3rd, 2022