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PM Interview question - Simultaneous Multiple projects

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ANTON SHPIGEL Ny, United States
During IT PM interview you are asked the following question:

How do you as PM work with multiple engineers/implementers simultaneously?

How would you respond?
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Peter Rapin Subject Matter Expect; Project Delivery| Independent Consultant Ontario, Canada
One does not "work with multiple engineers/implementers simultaneously" unless they are om the same project with the same objectives. Assuming numerous independent projects, you compartmentalize so that the person/project you are currently working with is the sole point of attention at that particular time. It would be helpful if you can structure or schedule your time to allow for separation however that is, at times, impossible on active projects - you can't schedule the crisis, they just happen.

In the good all days I would have all project files on my desk with all pertinent information readily available - get a call, open the file, make my notes, identify needed action for attention when possible.

Now with computer technology one can develop a Dashboard for every project and take it with you wherever I may need to go. Click on it, refresh your memory, have immediately available info, make your notes, identify needed action for later attention.

Next interruption - repeat.

Multi-tasking is not about doing everything at the same time, its about being organized so that every action has your undivided attention at the time.
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ANTON SHPIGEL Ny, United States
This question is asked exactly as it appears:

"work with multiple engineers/implementers simultaneously"

The projects are DIFFERENT.
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1 reply by Peter Rapin
Jul 22, 2020 10:55 AM
Peter Rapin
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Simultaneously means "at the same time". The projects may be happening "at the same time" however you cannot deal with different people on different projects with different issues "at the same time". You cannot get the different people to accommodate your need to deal with the "at the same time". When dealing with a stakeholder, an owner, a team member it is reasonable for them to expect your full attention during this interaction. Your response that "I'm dealing with other projects/people simultaneously" will not fly.

My suggestion is to re-work the question in the lead up to your response. Explain what you understand as "simultaneously" and take it from there.
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Peter Rapin Subject Matter Expect; Project Delivery| Independent Consultant Ontario, Canada
Jul 22, 2020 10:38 AM
Replying to ANTON SHPIGEL
...
This question is asked exactly as it appears:

"work with multiple engineers/implementers simultaneously"

The projects are DIFFERENT.
Simultaneously means "at the same time". The projects may be happening "at the same time" however you cannot deal with different people on different projects with different issues "at the same time". You cannot get the different people to accommodate your need to deal with the "at the same time". When dealing with a stakeholder, an owner, a team member it is reasonable for them to expect your full attention during this interaction. Your response that "I'm dealing with other projects/people simultaneously" will not fly.

My suggestion is to re-work the question in the lead up to your response. Explain what you understand as "simultaneously" and take it from there.
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Maria Lekha Johnson Paris, France
I agree with Peter Rapin where he says about having dashboards for the projects.

It's not possible to work with multiple engineers at the same time unless it is a war-room setup or some team meeting. We can only do one work at a time but we can manage multiple projects by organizing our tasks based on priorities. A visual dashboard with the statuses/assignees and any more required metrics for our projects will be an ideal tool to enable this.
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Sergio Luis Conte Helping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based Organizations Buenos Aires, Argentina
In the same way in my personal life I deal with wife, children, parents and friends between others, all together when I try to do something to get an objective.

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