Describe a time when you had to make a quick decision.

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your decision-making skills, particularly under pressure or in situations where time is limited. The interviewer is interested in understanding how you handle stress, prioritize tasks, and arrive at a solution quickly. They are looking for evidence of your ability to think on your feet and make sound judgments without having all the information you might ideally desire.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project manager, we were in the final stages of a critical project for a major client. Suddenly, one of our key team members fell ill, and their part of the project was not yet complete.

Task: I was responsible for ensuring the project was delivered on time, and I had to quickly decide how to fill the gap left by my colleague's absence to meet the deadline.

Action: I reviewed the pending tasks and identified the most urgent ones that needed immediate attention. I then reallocated resources by temporarily assigning some tasks to other team members who had the capacity to take on more work. Additionally, I reached out to a reliable freelancer we had worked with before, who was familiar with our project, to assist with the workload.

Result: By swiftly reallocating tasks and bringing in external help, we were able to complete the project on time without compromising quality. The client was very pleased with the outcome, and this quick decision-making helped strengthen our relationship with them.