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Behavioralstandard
Tell me about a time you had to cut scope to hit a deadline.
How to approach it
Explain the rule you used to decide what to cut, usually user value against risk, and how you told people before they found out.
How a strong answer opens
“We had a partner launch date we couldn't move and were three weeks behind. I'll explain the rule I used to decide what to cut and how I told people before they found out on their own.”
Outline of a strong answer
Try answering out loud for a few minutes before you open this.
- Why the date was fixed, such as a partner launch or a contract
- The full scope and how far behind you were
- How you ranked features by user value and risk
- What you cut and what you protected
- How you told stakeholders and customers
- What shipped, how it landed, and what happened to the cut items
Where this question usually goes wrong
Saying you cut scope without explaining how you chose what to cut, or letting stakeholders discover the cuts at launch.
Learn the method
Model answers 1 to 10 in Module 4, Behavioral and leadership.
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