Behavioural Flashcards
Q. Example of a goal you reached and tell me how you achieved it.
Recently I became a Certified Business Analysis Professional. I had been thinking about the CBAP certification for some time, but did not have the time to think and analysis what I will learn by completing this certification, how much effort involves, what value it will add to my career etc.
In January this year, I had some spear time to learn more about CBAP and its governing body IIBA as well as What involves to become one. I learned that it is the highest level of certification for BAs, require fair amount of study, and in entire Australia there are only 265 CBAP certified BAs. I felt challenge, after initial discussion with my wife and manger, I created a project in a free online project management system called ACE project. I identified activates, setup milestone and created a task list for each activities. I sticked with the project plan and deadline, adjusted the project plan only when I had no other option, stayed motivated when time was difficult due to personal and work related commitment. And that would be an example of how I planned and achieved a goal.
Give an example of a goal you didn’t meet and how you handled it.
During my time at IT magnet, I was assigned to design an estimation and project management system for a small construction company called JCG Constructions. At our first meeting the owner of that company said to me “Iqbal you’re the expert so I will leave this to your capable hand”. I banked on that word and design the system what I thought the best without proper process or elicitation. Once the system was implemented it had no use, awful would be the right word to describe it. There were serious arguments went on between both parties, I felt tribal wanted to resign but I did not. I learned two lessons from that mistake, first one is, I am not the expert, and my users are I am just a facilitator. Never underestimate intelligent of tradesmen in this country just because they swear a lot.
Q. Describe a stressful situation at work and how you handled it
Working under pressure or stressful situations is quite common in my line of work. Most cases these are related to a getting consensus from all levels of stakeholders within a given time, or coming up with a simple but innovative solution for a complex problem.
I enjoy working under pressure because I feel challenged and consequently I react to respond that challenge. Often I would motivate myself by saying Iqbal you have done this and been there before so this time will be no different.
When I am under pressure or stressful situations I plan what I have to do ease the condition. Often I would break down my entire day’s work into smaller segments and set target what I will be producing in each segment. Often I work longer hours or communicate extensively according to my plan to bring the situation under control.
q. How do you handle a challenge?
First I break down the situation into different parts to look at the facts, understand the fact and what I know, etc. Then I analyse and plan, what needs to be done, what I need to find out, learn, etc. Often I would refer to company policy for guidance how I should address the problem. If policy does not exist to cover the challenge, I address the challenge using my best judgment, and appropriate strategies. I do what I can with what I know, if don’t know I learn or seek advice from trustworthy mentor or colleague. If I fail I ask myself what I have learned from the failure.
Q. Have you been in a situation where you didn’t have enough work to do?
This type of situation will be very rare for me but nevertheless it happened to me. In situation like this I voluntarily look for items or internal business processes I feel require improvement and I have the capability to contribute. Also I can learn new tools or techniques to perform my job more efficiently. During last xmas period I had four days to spar, I used those days to analyse and recommend document management system called Documentom for XYZ.
Q. Have you ever made a mistake? How did you handle it?
Offcourse I made mistakes. Matter of fact I made many mistakes in my professional career. When I make mistake I practice same things that I preach my children. I become honest accept the truth and I am never in hesitate to say sorry or apologise. I look for a solution instead of pointing fingers at others. I attempt to do everything I can within my control to rectify the mistake. I also analysis the mistake and practice preventive actions to eliminate the same mistake.
Recently I documented a solution for a client which was rejected by the client. Requirement for the solution came in two separate documents in two separate emails. My solution was based on the first document, I over looked the second document because the email subject was somehow different.
When my manager informed me the news, I immediately contacted with the client, organised a face to face meeting in their office, explained the reason, apologised to the client, worked entire weekend to update the document. Later the client praised my effort to my manager also apologised for not giving a meaning full subject to the email that I missed.
Q. Describe a decision you made that was unpopular and how you handled implementing it?
Once I joined E-tivity, I noticed both the development and QA teams often miss the organisation standard for development, particularly standards related to user interfaces. These were causing inconstant looks and behaver within the system. I realised that the reason behind this issue is, some don’t have the full understanding of the standard as it is a rather large document, and other simply don’t take the standard seriously.
I also realised that if somehow the developers and Quality assurance personals are obliged to go through with the standard document frequently then the problem could be reduced if not eliminated. As such, I designed a web based checklist which includes 28 items to summarise the current development standard for the development and QA team to complete and submit each time they update their task status completed in project management system.
I put the proposal and checklist to the product manager and some key stakeholders. Soon both team became critical of my approach and raised number of concerns. I documented their concerns and responded appropriately to address their concerns.
After three months of negotiation the proposal was implemented just for the QA team and a matrix has been setup to monitor improvement of development team in this regards. Outcome that matrix will decide whether the development team will also require to submit the checklist or not.
Q8. Did you ever make a risky decision? Why? How did you handle it?
Risks are associated with almost every solution or proposal I prepare. I go through organisation guide line to manage risks. These involve, identifying how much risk organisation willing to accept in return for desired benefit. Identifying risks, categorising risks in different level, high, low, etc. Analysing and recommending risks mitigation actions.
Q9. Did you ever postpone making a decision? Why?
I try to not to postpone a decision as much as possible. I did it number of occasions when I felt that I don’t have enough facts to analysis and provide a sound decision. Also when I feel that there are elements of risk that need verify before making a decision.
I recalled a time when I delayed a contract with a client for three months because I was not certain about the 4 to 5 clauses that the client’s lawyer included in the SLA. Sales team raised their concern in highest level but I did not budge. I waited and managed to obtain a favourable outcome for my company.
Q10. Have you ever dealt with company policy you weren’t in agreement with? How?
I can think of two such policies in my current company XYZ that I do not agree with. It promulgates that it is a 100% customer focused organisation but so far it has not setup rules or guidelines how it will measure and distinguish good customer service. I felt formal definitions and some tangible examples are required distinguish the variance. I propose some points but haven’t heard anything in return yet.
The second policy is related to superannuation payment. Company pays employees super every 9 months interval due to some loophole in super law which I relay dislike. I informed my dislike to management but I don’t think I can’t do much about this.
Q11. Have you gone above and beyond the call of duty? If so, how?
Yes offcourse, often I put extra effort for my company and my manager that don’t fall within my job description. If I fell something need to be done for the good of my company, I fell encourage to be engaged with that initiative. For instance, I am an experienced technical writer, but technical writing does not fall into my responsibility. However, often I volunteer to document user guide, particular for modules that I have designed. Also, I recently convinced a client to extend its SLA with XYZ in number of items by showing the client benefits it will have by having those items in its SLA. Consequently my effort XYZ’s revenue. I also take imitative to improve existing process where I feel improvements are needed.
Q. Did you ever not meet your goals? Why?
I have a goal that I haven’t met yet. I was an oversees student in Australia and due to financial constrain I had to settle with a two years diploma from TAFE. I always wanted to achieve the bachelor degree in computer science. Occasionally I speak to my wife about my dream or goal, we are waiting for my 3 years old boy to be bit more mature, currently he is a handful.
Q. What do you do when your schedule is interrupted? Give an example of how you handle it.
First, I will think how I will be affected by this interruption and what benefit it will bring to my team or organisation. If I feel the benefit will offset my inconvenient, I will accept that interruption. Offcourse I will inform my manager and team about the situation
Q. Have you had to convince a team to work on a project they weren’t thrilled about? How did you do it?
When I was with IT Magnet, we had a development project for a not for profit organisation. The project required extracting data from a obscure database and display analytical information in MS XLS using graphs and chart. When I spoke to the development team for initial ideas and solutions, I felt that they were not encouraged by the prospect of coding for XLS as it require VBA coding which was fairly outdated.
Once both parties signed the contract for the development, I had to give a speech to the development team to remind them about our social responsibilities and how we will be helping a not for profit organisation to deliver its services to people in need. Why personal references should be kept aside for client such as this.
The development team got the message instantly and apologised to me for their earlier attitude about the client and project.
Q. Give an example of how you worked on team
Teamwork is an important aspect of Business Analysis work in general. At my current I work require teaming up with internal staffs as well as externals. I would be part of a team which will include other BAs including external to come up with innovative solutions to problems. Also, often I would be involved with Sales team to prepare RFI, RFP and estimation.
I work together with team member to plan, schedule, and distribution of responsibilities, transition and implementation. Effective team work helps me produce high quality deliverables, meeting the deadline. The end results are better customer service.
To be a good team member, I always greet others saying, good morning, good afternoon, how are you, etc. I use appropriate language when I speak, completely avoid making any smart comments. Always try to be helpful, if I can’t help someone, I give that person my reason. I acknowledge other work and praise them. If I have done something significant I inform team members so they feel motivated. I promote the team and team members’ work to upper management every opportunity I get. I am willing to listen to any team member’s work or personal problem and help them anyway I can.
Q. Have you handled a difficult situation with a co-worker? How?
The difficult situations or conflicts that I would be engaged with my colleagues primarily would be related to solutions. We both may have alternative solutions to a problem where both have strong opinions.
I deal with this type of situations as I deal with difficult stakeholders. I practice active listening, try to put myself into the other person shoes, and never feel hesitate to say sorry. I engage with constructive discussion and avoid blaming; I talk with respect, logics, examples, and avoid provocation. To establish my points often I prepare UI, prototype, perform research, and worst case scenario third party may get involve such as my manger or product manager. If handle well the outcome could be good for both of us as well as for the organisation.
