10 Important Project Management Interview Questions and Answers That You Should Prepare

Project Management plays a very important role in determining the success or failure of any project. It has been found in several studies that the success rate of a project goes up by 30% when it is handled by certified project managers. However, to get hired for a project management role mere certification is not enough. Having said that, a professional certification in project management goes a long way in augmenting your profile and boosting your resume. It is also very important to face the project manager interview boldly and confidently to impress the prospective employer. To do so, you need to be prepared well. We have mentioned here ten important project management interview questions and answers to help you face the interview effectively: 

Q1. Why do you think yourself a suitable candidate for the role of a project manager?

I think myself an appropriate candidate for this role because I have a genuine interest in this field and a knack for management as I have been managing several affairs in the family since an early age. Apart from that, my qualification and experience are also in this area. I have successfully completed a certification course in project management. I am looking forward to putting my knowledge and skills to work in the practical field.

Q2. What is the one skill that a project manager must possess?

Though there are several skills that a project manager needs to possess in order to perform their day to day job duties effectively, one most vital skill that he/she should have is flexibility. This skill proves most relevant when a project manager has to change his/her course of action in the wake of changing circumstances like a new deadline. It also helps in making him/her adaptable to work with different types of people, having different personalities and traits.

Q3. What, according to you, is the right way to approach a newly assigned project?

I think, first of all, one should specify the aim and objective of the project and the final expected output from it. Secondly, research should be undertaken to figure out how to reach that expected output. Then, a detailed plan of action should be prepared in sync with the project objectives. Finally, the tasks should be delegated among the team members based on every member’s knowledge and skill set. It is all about directing the team efforts towards the realization of project objectives and bringing out the best in them.

Q4. What should be done when a project doesn’t turn out well?

No matter what activity we undertake, certain factors always remain out of our control; we can’t do much about such factors, so we should focus on the factors that we can control and still mistakes happen. Therefore, in an unfortunate event of a project not turning out well, a responsible project manager should thoroughly analyze the causes of failure. Then, he/she should ensure that similar or related mistakes won’t be repeated in the future projects. An aware person must learn from their mistakes and take necessary corrective measures to improve their performance continuously.

Q5. How you make sure as a project manager that your team stays on the track to meet the project deadlines?

I think it is very important that the team members should have the realization as to how their particular roles make a difference and are important for the project. This realization helps in making people stay involved and feel motivated. Therefore, as a project manager, I take care of setting expectations and creating tentative schedules of when the tasks need to be completed; this helps in making the team members stay connected. It is important to instill a sense of responsibility in the team as only the collective efforts of the team can help us complete a project within the designated deadline.

Q6. Suppose if you, as a project manager, wants to opt for plan “A” for a project, while your team is in favor of plan “B”, what would you do in such a situation?

I am not a kind of person who thinks that the superior is always right. I believe in my team and there must be a strong reason that they all are talking in favor of plan B. So, I would like to know their point of view in detail and if it is found to be really beneficial for the realization of project objectives, I will gladly adopt it. At the end of the day, the project needs to be completed within specified deadlines and up to the client’s satisfaction; which strategy you adopt for it is only a secondary consideration.

Q7. Do you have the knowledge of any project management software?

Yes! Project management software plays a significant role in the effective management of a project. I have a good knowledge of Microsoft PPM (preferable to mention some certification course in project management that you have done), which is a popular project management software. I have used it extensively in my previous projects and have obtained good results out of it.

Q8. What type of projects do you like to work on?

I like to work on the projects which provide me with the opportunity to apply my skills and knowledge to their best and to push my limits. I prefer playing it big, rather than playing it safe. (You can name some projects of your choice, but never say I like to work on everything because such an answer communicates to the interviewer that either you are a novice or you are lying; nobody is good in all areas).

Q9. What do you mean by Planned Value, Actual Cost and Earned Value?

Planned Value signifies the estimated project value, which has been approved before the beginning of the project, while actual cost means the actual expenditure incurred on the project. Earned Value is the value earned at the completion of the project. The above three values collectively constitute Earned Value Management or EVM, which facilitates the project managers to measure project performance.

Q10. Can you name the ten key knowledge areas, which find mention in the PMBOK guide?

Yes, of course! Those key knowledge areas are: Scope Management, Integration Management, Quality Management, Cost Management, Time Management, Human Resource Management, Risk Management, Communications Management, Stakeholder Management, and Procurement Management. Read More