Quick! Help with interview question please!?

[AjasLipstick]

. Imagine that you’re relying on the work of someone else to complete your task, and they aren’t getting back to you with what you need. What do you do to encourage progress so that you can meet your deadlines?

How do I answer that? My instinct is to say that I'd ask the person who was struggling, if they needed some support to complete their work. Is that the right thing to do though?

Nobody!?? Please?

I’d use this as a question to demonstrate what you had put in place at the start of the task to ensure monitoring of deadlines, regular feedback etc. So it doesn’t just become a question about how you would react IYSWIM? Then once you had blurbed on about your project management skills you could then demonstrate how you would manage a ‘problem’ ie. ‘it looks like we’re not achieving this as planned, what can we do to get back on track? Is there anything you need? Late nite ideas but hope it helps! Good luck with the interview - now get some sleep (assuming you’re in GMT?!)

Ooh thanks! I did think that....gah! Lucky I asked! Re sleep...I am in Australia.x

Yep you would ask the person if they need support. Have a one to one and discuss the issues they have had delivering the work.
Good luck, let us know

What kischen said. Also as part of the second but of offering support I’d gently mention to them the knock on effect if their part doesn’t get done. They may be unaware that their responsibility is key to progress.

It depends who the procrastinator is, doesn't it?
Usually it's my boss (or someone else senior to me, possibly working for another employer but still a named collaborator) who hasn't responded. My boss doesn't answer most emails & is often out of UK. So I have no leverage over them & rarely see them in person. Boss does read most texts, though, so I could...

Text him & say THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT PLEASE DO SOMETHING
Just do the work myself, this be most appropriate action
Email my plan of how to proceed (without his contribution) & do that

I haven't had experience of a peer-colleague or subordinate who doesn't get stuff done, but probably what others said is good. Just go to them & ask how to help get it done. Restate why task has become urgent.