How to Answer: Describe a time when you identified an improvement opportunity and implemented it.
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Project Manager job interview.
13. Describe a time when you identified an improvement opportunity and implemented it.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Operational process improvements are key to reducing waste and cost. Companies often look to project managers to help identify improvement opportunities on behalf of their customers and within their own project teams. Interviewers ask this question to learn more about a candidate's ability to identify opportunities, propose adjustments, and implement the necessary changes to create efficiencies.
Written by Karrie Day on April 26th, 2023
Remember To
Describe a time when you took end-to-end ownership for a process improvement. Discuss the previous state of the problem, the work you did to analyze the opportunity, and your role in implementing the related changes. Also, it can be helpful to provide metrics to help the interviewer understand the impact and value of the improvement you implemented.
Written by Karrie Day on April 26th, 2023
Answer Example
"The teams I work with in my current role logged their time spent on projects at the end of each month. I noticed several inaccuracies in their reporting and spent 5-10 hours the next week meeting with them to address missing time and time logged to the wrong projects and activities.
I implemented a weekly logging process to reduce errors. None of my team members enjoyed logging their time, so I offered small rewards or facilitated time-logging lunches to make the process easier for everyone. The weekly time logging system reduced errors by 42% within three months and by 67% in the first year. I was also able to reduce my time following up on issues to 1-2 hours per month."
Written by Karrie Day on April 26th, 2023
About the Author
I began my professional career as an IT Business Systems Analyst. I enjoyed the role, but I knew early on that I wanted to explore project management after moving through the analyst ranks. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to partner with several talented project managers while I was working to grow my own skill set. I learned a lot from them about how to approach strategic planning, communication, conflict resolution, and how to motivate various personality types to perform their best under pressure. I learned even more from their failures.
It was clear that project management was as much an art as a science, and I eventually got my shot at taking everything I had observed over the years and blending it into my own style for steering projects and programs successfully. While project management was not my ultimate career goal, I greatly value my time managing projects. I have utilized the skills I worked to refine in project management in every position I have held since. For example, I use the communication, strategic thinking, and tactical planning skills I regularly leaned on as a project manager each time I work with one of my coaching clients.
Whether working as a project manager is a career goal of yours, or you fell into it through circumstance, you’re in good company. Over 16 million professionals claim the title of project manager, and project management isn’t going anywhere. In fact, the number of project managers is expected to grow by 7% over the next 8 years according to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics. According to the Project Management Institute, the global outlook is even more impressive boasting up to 33% growth through 2027. Regardless of the specific location, there will likely b a strong demand for project management skill sets in the years to come.
As a coach and writer for MockQuestions, I want to help you successfully navigate your upcoming interview for a project manager position. While some project manager skills are specific to the industry, location, and types of projects involved, many skills and behavioral traits are universally applicable to project management roles. This article will help any project manager prepare for a successful interview, and I encourage you to check out all of our sets dedicated to project management listed below.
Learn more about Karrie Day