How do you determine if you have been successful in your role as an engineering manager?

Question Analysis

The question seeks to understand the candidate's self-assessment skills and the criteria they use to determine their success in their role. It is a behavioral question that aims to gauge the candidate’s ability to reflect on their performance and the impact they have on their team and organization. The interviewee should consider using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure their response, focusing on specific examples and measurable outcomes.

Answer

Situation: In my role as an engineering manager, one of my responsibilities was to lead a team in developing a new feature for our flagship product.

Task: My goal was to ensure the project was delivered on time, met quality standards, and that my team members felt engaged and supported throughout the process.

Action: To achieve this, I implemented regular team check-ins and one-on-one meetings to address any roadblocks and gather feedback. I also established clear milestones and success criteria for the project, aligning them with both team and organizational objectives.

Result: The feature was successfully launched two weeks ahead of schedule and received positive feedback from our customers, resulting in a 15% increase in user engagement. Additionally, team surveys showed a 20% improvement in employee satisfaction and engagement, indicating a positive team environment. These outcomes confirmed that I was successful in my role, as they aligned with both my personal goals and the company’s strategic objectives.