What are some ways you would coordinate and drive accountability across the various groups within your programs?
Developing and fostering accountable behaviors is a duty that many senior program manager candidates will be expected to perform. Interviewers ask this question to determine how a candidate envisions they will be able to foster a fully accountable environment.
Remember to include accountability methods that can be measured in a variety of ways. This should include observable behaviors and metrics that speak to delivery upon team commitments. Additionally, be sure to demonstrate how you would hold yourself accountable.
"As a senior program manager, I would drive accountability in a number of ways. First, I would foster an environment of accountability between my teams and our stakeholders. This would include setting specific goals and tracking metrics to measure our team's performance against them. I would ensure that we meet regularly to discuss progress and address any issues as early as possible. I would also encourage our stakeholders to be accountable for their participation in the development process. I would ask them to be accountable for regular access to information and subject matter experts as needed.
On a team level, I would encourage our team leaders to ask everyone to make specific commitments, be accountable to them, and hold regular retrospectives. I would personally demonstrate accountability by delivering on the commitments I make to my teammates. I would also leverage transparency and authentic ownership of any mistakes I make in an effort to inspire the same behaviors in others."
