How to answer this interview question

[KimGa]

Just had an interview for a more senior admin role local government.

One of the questions was:

What steps would you take to complete a task with no formal processes currently in place?

Even thinking about it afterwards I don’t know what they were looking for me to say.

I waffled about a time when I created a process for something but I’m not sure what key points they wanted me to touch on, it’s very vague to me.

I don’t know the answer but I’m curious. Most of what I do has no formal process in place (even things that I feel should have). I just check my methodology with colleagues/management depending on its importance.

I'd say that I'd try and gain as much context as possible on who/which departments the task affects and the possible outcome

I would have answered with a Boris Johnson... "I'd get it done!"

I suspect they are looking to see if you show initiative, can work with ambiguity, can bring structure to things, but at the same time know where the boundaries are in terms of what you can define and what falls outside your scope or pay grade.

I would have made sure I understood the deliverables, broken down the task considering who were relevant stakeholders and what types of tasks e.g. IT systems, invoicing etc. Considered any statutory requirements which would be a good starting point. I would search the Intranet for similar processes either end to end or elements e.g. if I needed to invoice I would use the existing invoice process etc. I would also Google the process to see if any organisations already do this, focusing on public sector, universities etc. who are usually good at processes.

I'd ask them right back if they could give me an example of the kind of task they had in mind.

Sorry, but there's a huge difference between making a cup of tea without following a formal process and delivering a massive project without one.

Stupid, woolly question.