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How do you handle roadblocks or obstacles?

  • Related to Behavioral
  • For Generalist PM
  • Asked at Amazon
  Amazon
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Answers (2)

We are told by management gurus that when faced with obstacles it gives us an opportunity to learn new things and therefore, we should not complain but seek for help and suggestions from those who have the experience. We are also advised to stay positive and think of the good things that can come out of the challenge. We are also advised to face the challenge and try to do something than to bury it. If it does not work, we should try something else. We are also advised to set aside our emotions and look at the logical side of the challenge. Lastly breaking down a challenge helps to digest it and also, we should try and ask questions to enable us to understand the obstacle better.

Roadblocks or obstacles are common when working on projects. It’s essential to navigate them and quickly find solutions to ensure timely delivery and success of your projects. Steps to handle roadblocks or obstacles:

  1. Gauge the potential imapct and decide if it’s something that needs immediate solution or something that can be handled later.
  2. If it needs urgent solutions, try to understand the rootcause of the roadblock or obstacle and dig deep.
  3. If it’s a already seen problem before, try to follow your solution from last time.
  4. If it’s a new problem, quickly gather the necessary stakeholders.
  5. Try to breakdown the problem. Evaluate your options and agree on a solution / way forward.
  6. Implement the solution and communicate the same to all relevant stakeholders of your project.
  7. Come up with a process for handling/solving similar obstacles that may arise in the future.