7-day TPM Interview Course

Prioritization depends on n number of factors, and therefore, there can’t be an “ideal” solution. 

However, there are some key principles you can deploy when answering such questions. Ensure that the example you pick from your experience showcases these principles. 

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A. Prioritization Guidelines:
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1. Balance short term and long term 

This way, you can ship immediate customer value, but still have systems that are executable in the long term.

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2. Scalable solutions are better than one-off solutions

Scalable solutions can be easily expanded, resued, and upgraded on demand.

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3. Automated solutions are better than manual solutions

More efficient, timely, accurate, and consistent.

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4. Must-have more important than nice-to-have

Always separately track required features and wish lists.

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5. Function more important than interface

This is not to say that usability issues are not important. Rather, functional issues should take a higher priority.

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6. Long-pole project takes priority over parallelizable project

A long-pole project can only be done serially, while a parallelizable project can be divided among multiple team members and conducted simultaneously.

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7. Escalate when needed

After trying all prior steps, if the priority issue is still not resolved, ask leadership for help.

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B. Good TPMs Should Be Able To:

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1. Analyze business impact and urgency

These 2 factors are the most important, but they are sometimes independent.

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2. Explore all options, including time, efforts, and resources needed

There are always different paths to accomplish the same goal. Detailed analysis will tell which is the best.

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3. List out the pros and cons of each option

There are always trade-offs. A good TPM should consider all possibilities.

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4. Make strong judgment and act quickly

Dealing with ambiguity is critical, so a good TPM should be comfortable making decisions and pushing the team forward.

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C. Red Flags:

• Procrastinating without proper analysis
• Not enough communication
• Too much micromanagement

Here are other popular problems you can practice:

1. How do you organize your work when you have to take on multiple projects/clients at the same time?
2. Tell me about a time you missed a deadline.
3. Describe a situation where you made an important business decision to help your team move forward. What was the situation and how did it turn out?