Senior Software Engineer

Can you share an experience where you had to reject or modify a request for technical reasons? What did you say to explain your concerns and how did things turn out?

The interviewer wants to know how well you can determine if something is technically feasible, how you explain your concerns to others, and how you work together to find other options when there are technical challenges.

Do:

Discuss experiences where you assessed technical feasibility of features and identified potential issues.
Show how you communicated your concerns effectively and professionally to stakeholders.
Highlight your collaboration with stakeholders to find viable alternative solutions.
Present examples where you maintained project goals without compromising on technical integrity.
Demonstrate your ability to maintain transparency and openness with your team and stakeholders.

Don't:

Avoid suggesting that you always agree to unrealistic requests or that you never communicate your concerns. Don't give examples where you failed to find an alternative solution or where your communication was unprofessional or unclear.

Sample Answer 1

Once, a product manager requested a feature that would have caused significant performance issues in our application. I carefully analyzed the request and gathered data to support my concerns. I then met with the product manager to discuss the technical limitations and presented my findings. We collaborated to find an alternative solution that met the business needs while preserving the application's performance. By maintaining open communication and working together, we were able to satisfy the project requirements without compromising the system's performance.

Sample Answer 2

During a project, the client requested a feature that wasn't technically feasible due to hardware limitations. I first thoroughly researched the issue to ensure that my concerns were valid. I then arranged a meeting with the client and explained the technical constraints, using clear language and providing examples. After discussing the challenges, we brainstormed alternative solutions together and eventually settled on a more suitable approach that met their needs. By being proactive and transparent, I was able to manage expectations and maintain a positive relationship with the client.