Q1
Walk me through how you would develop a project schedule for a manufacturing operation with 15+ concurrent work streams, resource constraints, and critical path dependencies. Which tools have you used, and how did you manage float and buffer time?
Why they ask this:* They're assessing your mastery of scheduling methodology, critical path analysis, and resource leveling—core competencies for operations PMs managing complex timelines and dependencies.
Q2
Describe your experience with Earned Value Management (EVM). How have you calculated schedule variance, cost variance, and performance indices to forecast project completion and budget outcomes?
Why they ask this:* EVM is the industry standard for objective project health assessment in operations; this tests whether you can quantify performance data and communicate risk to stakeholders.
Q3
How do you approach process improvement and waste reduction using frameworks like Lean or Six Sigma? Give an example of a metric you tracked and optimized in an operations project.
Why they ask this:* Operations environments prioritize efficiency; they want to know if you can identify bottlenecks, implement continuous improvement, and measure tangible results.
Q4
What experience do you have with supply chain or procurement management in project delivery? How have you managed vendor relationships, lead times, and material availability risks?