Tell me about a time you proposed a non-intuitive solution to a problem and how you identified that it required a different way of thinking

This question is asking you to recall a specific instance where you used non-conventional or creative thinking to solve an issue. The employer wants evidence of your ability to think outside the box, tackle complex issues, and innovate. To answer this question effectively, your reply should:

• Identify a problem you encountered.
• Explain why conventional solutions didn't work or were inappropriate.
• Detail the unique solution you proposed.
• Discuss the result of your solution.

Try to select a response that aligns with the job you're applying for. If you're applied for a position that has problem-solving as a key component, choose an instance where your solution resulted in significant improvements.

At my previous job as a software engineer, we were struggling to streamline the bug-fixing process in our application. The typical method was to assign each ticket to an individual team member, which often led to overburdening some members while others spent time idly waiting. I realized this conventional approach was exacerbating our backlog.

To address this, I proposed a 'Round Robin' bug-fixing approach, which was a non-traditional practice in our organization. In this approach, we created a queue system where tickets were assigned to the next available engineer. This was different as it defied the typical method of individual responsibilities for each ticket.

It was initially met with skepticism, but once implemented, the bug backlog successfully decreased by 30% within two months and team productivity increased. From this experience, I learned that sometimes, traditional methods can be safely sidelined for more effective, unique solutions.

When I was a project manager at an IT firm, we had a project with a very tight timeline. Traditionally, we planned our projects in a linear way, from point A to B to C. However, this method was evidently not feasible due to the time restraint.

I proposed and then adopted a non-linear work approach - breaking the project into distinct parts to work on simultaneously instead of consecutively. We identified which parts could be carried out in parallel and delegated them accordingly. This different way of thinking was against our usual procedure and thus hindered by uncertainties, but it actually cut project time significantly without affecting the quality of the work.

Initially, there was some resistance from team members, but after seeing the benefits and success, they felt more confident. This experience taught me the importance of flexibility and being open to unconventional approaches in project management."