How do you addess conflicts between two teams who are failing to deliver a feature?

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your conflict resolution skills and ability to manage team dynamics. The interviewer is interested in understanding how you handle interpersonal issues and ensure project delivery when faced with obstacles. They are looking for evidence of your leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. It's important to demonstrate your ability to remain neutral, facilitate discussions, and find a resolution that aligns with organizational goals.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project manager, I encountered a situation where two teams were in conflict over the development of a new software feature. The development team believed the design was too complex, while the design team felt their vision was crucial to the product's success.

Task: My responsibility was to mediate the conflict, ensure both teams could collaborate effectively, and deliver the feature on time.

Action: I organized a joint meeting with both teams to facilitate open communication. I encouraged each team to express their concerns and priorities. By actively listening, I identified the core issues and areas where their objectives overlapped. I proposed a compromise where the design could be simplified without sacrificing key elements, and the development team agreed to allocate additional resources to meet the design standards. I also set up regular check-ins to maintain progress and address any further issues promptly.

Result: The compromise led to a successful resolution of the conflict. Both teams felt heard and valued, which improved their collaboration. The feature was delivered on schedule and met the quality standards expected by stakeholders, ultimately contributing to the project's success.