Question: What is your approach to solving any given complex problem?

Alternative Question Phrasing:

Follow-up questions:

Why do you think this was a complex problem?
Did you build a structure afresh to break down this problem?

Question Details:

Question Type:

Skills:

Basic – Critical Thinking,Basic – Science and Logic,Complex Problem Solving,Systems – Judgment and Decision Making,Systems Analysis,Systems Evaluation

Abilities:

Cognitive – Category Flexibility (Mental Flexibility),Cognitive – Deductive Reasoning,Cognitive – Flexibility of Closure (Pattern Detection),Cognitive – Inductive Reasoning,Cognitive – Originality,Cognitive – Speed of Closure (Thinking Speed)

Other Factors:

Candidate Preparedness,Personality-Job Fit,Personality-Organization Fit,Self-Awareness

Work Activity (Task):

Information Input – Estimating Characteristics of Objects, Events, or Information,Information Input – Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events,Mental Processes – Analyzing Data or Information,Mental Processes – Developing Objectives and Strategies,Mental Processes – Making Decisions and Solving Problems,Mental Processes – Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work,Mental Processes – Thinking Creatively (Creativity),Mental Processes – Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Work Context (Person-Job/Team/Org Fit):

Interpersonal Relationships – Relationship With Supervisor,Job Structure – Level of Responsibility (Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Organization Results)

Work Style (Person-Job Fit):

Achievement/Effort (Action/Result Orientation),Analytical Thinking,Attention to Detail,Persistence/Perseverance

Question Frequency

Question Difficulty

What to look for in an answer:

You are looking for the candidate’s research, planning and prioritizing skills.
If the candidate’s plan to solve this problem sounds practical.
If the implementation techniques of the plan seems to be relevant to your industry.

Red Flags to Watch For:

If the candidate gives a vague explanation of how they resolved the problem.
If the candidate does not clearly explain why that problem would have adverse effects to the business.

Sample Answer:

N/A

Question Source: https://www.wikijob.co.uk/content/interview-advice/interview-questions