Exemplar Story: Challenging Unrealistic Expectations with Data
In Q3 last year, our company initiated an aggressive 'Time-to-Market' push, leading to executive leadership setting new, highly compressed delivery targets for all product teams. My software development team was assigned a crucial feature with a timeline that, based on our historical velocity and current commitments, seemed unrealistic by at least 30%.
My immediate task was to ensure our team could deliver high-quality output without succumbing to burnout, while also addressing leadership's ambitious goals. I needed to proactively communicate the potential risks of the current plan and propose a more sustainable, yet still accelerated, approach.
I began by collecting comprehensive data. I analyzed our past three quarters' sprint velocities, factoring in team size, complexity of features, and unforeseen roadblocks. I cross-referenced this with our current project backlog, individual team member capacities, and upcoming PTO. This data clearly showed that meeting the new deadline would require significant shortcuts, leading to increased technical debt and a high probability of critical bugs.
Instead of simply stating it was 'impossible,' I framed the issue in terms of business risk. I prepared a presentation illustrating two scenarios: 'Aggressive, High-Risk Delivery' (leading to compromised quality, potential reworks, and likely team attrition) versus 'Phased, Sustainable Delivery' (maintaining quality, predictable timelines, and healthy team morale). I proposed a revised roadmap that broke the large feature into two phases, delivering core functionality in the first phase slightly beyond the original deadline, and enhancements in the second. This still accelerated our typical pace but was achievable.
During the discussion with leadership, I presented the data calmly and objectively, emphasizing our shared goal of rapid, quality delivery. I focused on the long-term implications of burnout and technical debt, rather than just the immediate discomfort. I highlighted how my proposed phased approach would allow us to deliver value sooner while mitigating critical risks.
Leadership acknowledged the data and my proactive risk assessment. While initially hesitant, they ultimately approved the revised, phased roadmap. We successfully delivered the core feature on the adjusted timeline, maintaining high quality and avoiding significant technical debt. The team felt heard and supported, and morale remained high, which subsequently improved our long-term velocity. This experience also established me as a trusted voice for realistic planning within the department.
The STAR method is a structured approach to answering behavioral interview questions by detailing the Situation, Task, Action, and Result of a specific experience. It helps provide a comprehensive and compelling answer.
From the 'Exemplar Story: Challenging Unrealistic Expectations with Data':
From the 'Exemplar Story: Challenging Unrealistic Expectations with Data', which of the following best describes the Situation?
From the 'Exemplar Story', the individual's core Task was to ensure the team could deliver high-quality output without (1) while also addressing leadership's ambitious goals, and to (2) the potential risks and (3) a more sustainable approach.
From the 'Exemplar Story', which of the following was a key Action taken by the individual?
From the 'Exemplar Story', which of the following represents a positive Result of the individual's efforts?
Now it's your turn. Using the STAR framework (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and the exemplar story as a guide, please craft your own response to the following behavioral interview question:
"Tell me about a time you had to challenge an unrealistic expectation from leadership or a stakeholder and propose a more viable, data-backed solution. What was the situation, what actions did you take, and what was the outcome?"