How can you evaluate project management skills in an interview?

1 Define the scope

One of the first steps of any project is to define the scope, which includes the goals, deliverables, requirements, and constraints of the project. A good project manager should be able to articulate the scope clearly and concisely, and align it with the stakeholders' expectations and needs. To evaluate this skill in an interview, you can ask the candidate to describe a project they have managed or participated in, and how they defined and communicated the scope to the team and the clients. You can also ask them how they handled any changes or challenges to the scope during the project, and what tools or methods they used to document and track the scope.

4 Manage the stakeholders

A project manager also needs to manage the expectations and interests of the stakeholders, who are the people or groups affected by or involved in the project, such as clients, sponsors, users, or partners. A good project manager should be able to identify and analyze the stakeholders, communicate with them effectively, and manage their feedback and requirements. To evaluate this skill in an interview, you can ask the candidate to describe how they managed the stakeholders for a project they have managed or participated in, and how they built and maintained trust and rapport with them. You can also ask them how they handled any stakeholder conflicts or changes, and what strategies they used to ensure stakeholder satisfaction.

5 Deliver the results

The ultimate goal of a project manager is to deliver the results that meet or exceed the expectations and requirements of the stakeholders and the team. A good project manager should be able to execute the project plan, monitor and control the project progress, and ensure the quality and scope of the deliverables. To evaluate this skill in an interview, you can ask the candidate to describe how they delivered the results for a project they have managed or participated in, and how they measured and evaluated the success of the project. You can also ask them how they closed the project, and what lessons learned or best practices they applied or shared.

By asking these questions, you can get a comprehensive and holistic view of the candidate's project management skills, and how they apply them in different situations and contexts. You can also compare their answers with the specific needs and expectations of your startup development project, and see how well they fit with your team and culture.