How to Answer: What are some risks and issues you've dealt with in the past during projects?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Project Manager job interview.
4. What are some risks and issues you've dealt with in the past during projects?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Project risks commonly involve resources, time, scope, communication, and cost. They tend to refer to a condition or event that may impact the project in the future, whereas an issue is an existing problem that is currently affecting the project. The interviewer wants to know that you're familiar with risks and issues because as a project manager you need to be able to prevent, mitigate, and manage any risks or issues that arise during a project.
Written by Marcie Wilmot on January 5th, 2021
How to Answer
Describe several of the risks you have encountered as a project manager and the techniques you use to combat them. Focus on risks that either occur frequently or those that have the potential to ruin a project if not handled accordingly. Risks in either of these categories are likely to have an impact if they are not mitigated properly.
Also, it can be helpful to describe a risk that is likely to occur on the types of projects you will be managing if hired for the role. For example, a creative project manager might describe their approach to reigning in artists that struggle to find inspiration. An IT project manager might describe their process for mitigating the risk of everchanging technology and its effect on project scope and budgets.
Written by Karrie Day on April 23rd, 2023
1st Answer Example
"I've learned throughout my career that in many cases the project manager can take actions to help avoid project risks. For example, making sure the project's purpose, need, and scope are well-defined prevents significant problems down the road.
In terms of risks that I've encountered during past projects, they would include contractor delays and not having control over my team's priorities. I've learned techniques to combat these risks like including late penalties in contractor contracts and briefing team managers on the importance of the project. In terms of issues, I recently had to quickly adapt when a key member of my team was unexpectedly hospitalized. Luckily, I had identified back-up employees and was able to tap some of them to fill in while this person was incapacitated so the project timeline wasn't impacted."
Written by Karrie Day on April 23rd, 2023
2nd Answer Example
"A common issue that I have experienced is communication from project sponsors or there is a breakdown of communication from other parties involved. I like to solve these communication issues by having set meeting cadences with stakeholders and members of the project team to try and mitigate issues that may arise. I also have an open-door policy so that if issues do arise, I can know about them and fix them as soon as possible."
Written by Jessica H. on May 9th, 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