英文面试问答】项目经理100问 50问：你觉得最难的一次项目管理经历？

其实这个系列有很多重复的问题，只不过换一种提问形式，当然能用来作答的整合性内容也很多，从实操经验出发，有很多很多case可以分享，不止于某个特定数字，比如100。所以，这个系列未来的内容还是会有很多重复类似问题，解决思路也大同小异，只不过具体case情况可能有差。 还有一点是关于语言学习的建议，每个人都有自己措辞表达的特色，类似于某种思维定势，所以当你只看我这边的材料而认定对应的英文表达就只能这样，那就真的受限了，我的建议永远是：根据你的需求不断探索，扩大你的阅读范围，不局限材料的选择，多看多思多联系你的实际运用，这样才更利于建构独属你的表达bank（相信我，语言表达具无穷潜力，尤其对于习得第二门外语的人来说，更需要兼收并蓄多元内容）。最后还是希望可以得到更多朋友的case共享，我一个人毕竟所能经历的有限。不然只能缓慢更新啦。

50. Tell me about the most challenging project that you have handled? Or in other words, have you ever encounter with something went wrong when managing a project?

Well, that is a challenging one. As a project manager, I have to say things go wrong all the time in projects management. But what`s truly important is how to response to those challenges that would make a difference. And turn crises into opportunities. Over the years, I have developed a process for handling challenging project that went wrong in project management. Step one is to assess the situation and determine the extent of the challenge or obstacle. This includes identifying the root cause, determining the impact of the project and evaluating the potential solutions. Step two is after the root cause identification, I will have a clear understanding of the situation, and then I will communicate with my team and stakeholders to develop a plan of action. This step includes outlining the steps we need to take to address the challenge or obstacle, identifying any resources we may need any setting timelines for completion. To illustrate this process, I will provide one of the examples of some of the most challenging projects I encountered in my projects management and how I handled it properly.

I was working as an IT project manager in a previous role on a time-sensitive(tight-deadline) project. Approximately 18 days before the project deadline, I lost two technical members of staff due to Covid. I was not prepared to extend the deadline because this would have a negative effect on other aspects of the company. There was also not the option to bring in other people from other departments. Therefore, it was my task to find a solution to this challenging problem quickly to ensure the project  would be still completed on time and within budget and to the expected standard.

So I spent several hours reviewing the project plan, and drew up a list of jobs the people who went off sick were responsible for. I then allocated whatever tasks I could to the remaining members of staff but there was still a significant skill set deficit that needed to be filled in. After assessing the whole situation and communicating with my team and stakeholders,I realized the most suitable plan of action was to hire several high-quality technical contractors from the professional job hunting website. So I scheduled interviewing meetings with the candidates via Zoom and confirming their qualifications, experience, and credentials, I gave them a thorough and detailed brief of the work required, and after confirming their previous work experience and technical qualifications, I hired them to completed the work, and then closely monitored them so that we can move forward. As a result, the project was successfully completed on time and within budget and the client was satisfied with the final product.

In conclusion, things could go wrong all the time in projects management. Responding to challenges, allocating resources effectively and taking actions accordingly is key to the success of a project. By remaining calm, thinking outside the box and by utilizing a different approach to working, such as reallocating projects tasks, hiring external online contractors, and carrying out some of the work myself in the evenings, a project manager is still able to get the project completed on time and to an excellent standard for the client.