What, according to you, is an important skill for a project manager to succeed?
Well, if you are a project manager you might already be thinking that there can’t be one skill that is enough to be successful. And, you are right. Your answer could be leadership skills, communication skills, or time management skills. What the interviewer is looking for is the justification for the answer. So, before you blurt out anything, have your reasons ready.
Explain the difference between Risk Impact and Risk Probability.
As the name implies, Risk Probability is the chance of a risk to happen, while Risk Impact is the cost when the risk occurs.
Have you managed remote teams and outsourced resources?
Not all projects are executed under one roof. With more dynamic project management tools and a global workforce to choose from, many project managers might never meet the members of their team, at least in the real world. Then there are the necessary resources that will be outsourced, which involves a different management technique than when working with employees. Knowing how they would manage people and resources can be a crucial point in your decision to hire or not to hire.
Explain the entire team forming process you follow for your team.
Developmental stages of the team generally consist of:
- Forming: In this stage, the entire group unites for the first time where the focus is to build relationships within the team and clarify the mission or vision of the project.
- Storming: In this stage, team members get more comfortable in sharing their opinions with the team and with a possibility of internal conflict within the group.
- Norming: In this stage, the project team receives the clarity and support on the tasks to proceed with the project.
- Performing: By this stage, the team members learn to trust and accept each other. Each of the team members become competent, autonomous and is able to handle the decision-making process without anyone’s supervision.
- Adjourning: This is the final stage of the team forming process, which takes place after project completion. In this stage, the team is broken up and resources are released.
What is the process of calculating the three-point estimating method?
There are two ways in which you can calculate the three-point estimation:
- Triangular Distribution E = (P+M+O)/3
- Beta or PERT Distribution
E = (P+4M+O)/6
where P = pessimist, O = Optimist, M = most likely.
What are the knowledge areas relevant to doing a project?
Scope management, time and cost management knowledge areas are quite obvious. Same goes for quality management too. To complete a project in all its aspects one needs to be aware of the project integration knowledge area. Communications is an essential issue so is the communication management knowledge. Procurement and risk management are two vital support areas. Since people get things done Human resources management is also an equally important area.
What is the role of Isikawa/ Fishbone diagrams in determining root causes of risks?
This is a graphical method of determining cause and effect relationships leading to a specific risk. One could then determine mitigation actions for that risk.
Work from home has become the new normal in the post-COVID-19-world. How well are you prepared to manage a remote team?
In the present world, project managers often choose their teams from a global workforce and are expected to manage teams remotely. You should be equipped with the knowledge and skills to work with team members virtually. It calls for a different management technique. Your answer to this project management interview question should clearly describe the project management methodology you may choose to manage people and resources in a remote environment.
What kind of people do you find difficult to work with?
This is a potential trap. ‘I get along with everyone’. Say this and you will open a floodgate of questions. Focus on why you are being asked this question. They want to check your people management skills. You can talk about how you are strictly professional and do not let your emotions get the better of you while working with people. Bring out your maturity, emotional quotient while answering this question.
What is a Decision Support System (DSS)? How many types of DSS are there?
DSS is a software system that helps in the decision making process in project management. There are two types of DSS: structured and unstructured.