Can you tell me about a time when you had incomplete information and you needed to make a quick decision? What did you do? What was the outcome?

Question Analysis

This question is designed to evaluate your decision-making skills, especially under pressure and with limited information. The interviewer wants to assess your ability to think critically, act decisively, and the effectiveness of your decision in achieving a positive outcome. It is important to demonstrate your problem-solving skills, resourcefulness, and ability to handle uncertainty.

Answer

Situation: At my previous job, I was working as a project manager for a tech company. One day, I received a call from a client who was facing an urgent issue with our software. The client was preparing for a major presentation and needed the issue resolved quickly. However, I had incomplete information about the problem as our technical team was unavailable at the time.

Task: My task was to address the client's issue promptly to ensure their presentation could proceed smoothly, despite having limited information and resources at the moment.

Action: I quickly gathered whatever information I could from the client about the issue and reviewed recent updates made to the software. I then brainstormed potential solutions based on similar past issues. I communicated with the client to manage their expectations and informed them of the steps I was taking. Simultaneously, I reached out to a colleague from another team who might have insights into the problem.

Result: With the information and assistance I gathered, I was able to implement a temporary fix that resolved the client's issue. They successfully conducted their presentation without any disruptions. Later, when the technical team was available, we performed a thorough analysis and implemented a permanent solution. The client appreciated our quick response and continued to trust our services.