Could you tell me about a time when you disagreed with a Technical stakeholder, and how you resolved that disagreement?

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your conflict resolution skills, particularly when dealing with technical stakeholders. It evaluates your ability to handle disagreements professionally and collaboratively. The interviewer is interested in understanding how you manage differences in opinions, maintain relationships, and ensure successful project outcomes. It's important to demonstrate your communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills. Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) will help structure your response effectively.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a Project Manager at XYZ Company, we were developing a new software feature that required collaboration between the development team and the IT department. I disagreed with the IT lead on the choice of a particular software tool, which I believed was not scalable for our needs.

Task: My task was to ensure the project was executed smoothly while aligning both teams on the best technical approach. I needed to address the disagreement without delaying the project timeline.

Action: I scheduled a meeting with the IT lead to discuss our differing views. During the meeting, I presented my concerns with data and examples of scalability issues we might face. I also listened to his perspective to understand his reasoning. Together, we decided to conduct a small pilot test of the tool to evaluate its performance. Additionally, I facilitated a brainstorming session with both teams to explore alternative solutions that could meet our technical requirements.

Result: The pilot test revealed that the tool indeed had limitations in handling high volumes of data. As a result, we collaboratively chose a more robust solution that satisfied both teams. This not only improved the project's technical foundation but also strengthened the working relationship between the development and IT departments. The project was completed on time and exceeded our performance expectations.