Can you describe a situation where you utilised your problem-solving skills to overcome a significant work challenge?

The interviewer has asked: "Can you describe a situation where you utilised your problem-solving skills to overcome a significant work challenge?" to ascertain if you have the ability to identify, analyze and solve problems at work. This question tests your analytical and problem-solving skills, along with your ability to work under pressure. You need to demonstrate the application of a systematic approach towards problem-solving. Here's a simple layout to base your answer:

1. Situation: Describe the context or situation.
2. Task: Explain what needed to be done as a result of the situation.
3. Action: Detail the strategies you used to tackle the problem and the steps you took.
4. Result: Discuss the outcome of your actions - the resolution of the problem, lessons learnt and what you would do differently.

In my previous role as Project Manager, I often had to handle unexpected delays or issues that could disrupt the project timeline, one notable instance involved a crucial team member departing from the company midway through a project (Situation). It became my responsibility to immediately address this unexpected obstacle and ensure that the project stays on schedule (Task). I first assessed the tasks left by the team member and divided them into categories based on required skills. I then redistributed these tasks among existing team members who had those skills. Additionally, I provided extra assistance and resources to ensure they could handle the extra load without experiencing burnout (Action). As a result, we were not only able to maintain the project on its original timeline, but the team became more versatile and cross-functional (Result).

When I worked as a software engineer at a healthcare company, there was a time when our application started receiving a number of client complaints about a specific feature not working properly (Situation). Since this feature was critical for our user's daily operations, we needed to find a remedial solution urgently (Task). I dove into the problem and started troubleshooting to reproduce the issue - which allowed me to identify the problem. The code had a bug in a certain condition. I fixed this, ran a sequence of tests and updated the application. I also coordinated with the team to push the changes as a hotfix (Action). This quick response and resolution not only reduced the customer complaints, but also improved the company's credibility in the eyes of our clients (Result)."