## Question Two tasks are both described as critical, but your team cannot complete both on time. How would you decide which to address first, communicate the decision, and reduce the harm from delaying the other? ### Constraints & Assumptions - The tasks have different users, deadlines, and failure modes. - You may not solve the scenario by silently asking the team to work unlimited hours. - Some information is uncertain and must be obtained quickly. - A smaller containment action may be possible for either task. ### Clarifying Questions to Ask - What is the impact and time sensitivity if each task is delayed? - Are safety, legal, security, or contractual obligations involved? - Which effects are reversible, and what containment options exist? - Who owns the final priority decision? - Are the tasks truly competing for the same constrained skill or dependency? ```hint Make “critical” comparable Rank customer harm, urgency, irreversibility, obligation, and confidence rather than comparing labels. ``` ### What a Strong Answer Covers - Fast fact gathering and an explicit decision framework. - Separation of immediate containment from complete resolution. - Proper escalation for obligations and cross-team trade-offs. - A documented priority, owner, trigger for reassessment, and communication plan. - Mitigation and a credible revised commitment for the deferred task. ### Follow-up Questions 1. What if the loudest stakeholder owns the lower-impact task? 2. When would you split the team instead of focusing it? 3. Which new evidence would reverse your priority?