Tell me about a time when you had to make a decision without full information. How did you make that decision and what happened?

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your problem-solving skills, decision-making abilities, and how you handle uncertainty or incomplete information. Employers want to understand your thought process, resourcefulness, and whether you can make effective decisions under pressure. They are also interested in the outcome of your decision-making process and what you learned from the experience. The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is a useful framework for structuring your response.

Answer

Situation:
In my previous role as a project manager, we were launching a new product feature. However, critical market research data was delayed, and we were nearing our release deadline.

Task:
My task was to decide whether to proceed with the launch or postpone it, potentially impacting our competitive advantage.

Action:
I gathered as much information as possible from available sources, consulted with my team and stakeholders, and evaluated potential risks and benefits. I also reviewed historical data from similar launches and identified key patterns. Based on this analysis, I made the decision to proceed with the launch, emphasizing a flexible marketing strategy that allowed for adjustments as more information became available.

Result:
The launch was successful, and the feature received positive feedback from early adopters. We were able to capture a significant market share quickly, and as more data became available, we refined our marketing approach. This experience taught me the importance of balancing data-driven decisions with practical insights and adaptability.