Understanding the Question

When an interviewer asks you to "Describe a time when you had to work closely with non-technical stakeholders on an automation project," they're inviting you to share a story from your past experiences. This question is designed to uncover your ability to communicate complex technical concepts in an accessible way, collaborate across different departments, and ensure that the project meets the end-users' needs, even if they may not fully understand the technical intricacies of the automation process.

Interviewer's Goals

The interviewer is looking to assess several key competencies with this question:

• Communication Skills: Your ability to explain technical details in simple terms.
• Stakeholder Management: How you manage expectations, gather requirements, and keep stakeholders informed.
• Empathy and Patience: Your understanding of the perspective of non-technical stakeholders and your patience in guiding them through the project.
• Problem-Solving: How you address concerns or issues raised by stakeholders and find solutions that satisfy both technical and business needs.
• Project Management: Your capability to manage a project that involves a diverse group of participants, ensuring it stays on track and meets its goals.

How to Approach Your Answer

To effectively answer this question, you should structure your response using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). This method provides a clear and concise narrative that showcases your skills and accomplishments.

1. Situation: Set the stage by describing the context in which you were working with non-technical stakeholders on an automation project. This could be a project aimed at automating a manual process, implementing a new software tool, etc.
2. Task: Explain what your role was in the project and what you were specifically responsible for, especially in relation to the non-technical stakeholders.
3. Action: Detail the steps you took to ensure effective communication and collaboration with the non-technical stakeholders. Highlight how you translated technical jargon, solicited feedback, and kept the stakeholders engaged.
4. Result: Share the outcomes of your efforts. Focus on successful project delivery, enhanced understanding and satisfaction among stakeholders, and any specific feedback you received.

Example Responses Relevant to Automation Engineer

Here’s how a response might look for an Automation Engineer:

Example 1:

"In my previous role, we were tasked with automating the invoicing process, which involved working closely with the finance department, a group of non-technical stakeholders. They were initially resistant to change and concerned about the impact on their workflow. I organized a series of workshops to explain the benefits of automation, using real-life scenarios to demonstrate how it would simplify their tasks and reduce errors. We also discussed their specific needs to ensure the solution was tailored appropriately. Throughout the project, I provided regular updates and training sessions. The project resulted in a 40% reduction in processing time and significant error reduction, and the finance team expressed high satisfaction with the new system."

Example 2:

"In a recent project aimed at automating quality assurance processes for software development, I had to collaborate closely with the product management team, who were not familiar with the technical aspects of automation tools. I took the initiative to create visual guides and simplified flowcharts to illustrate how automated testing works and its advantages over manual testing. I held Q&A sessions to address their concerns and made sure to involve them in the testing phase to give them a hands-on understanding. The project led to a 30% decrease in time-to-market for new features, and the product managers reported feeling more confident in the quality of releases."

Tips for Success

• Be Specific: Use detailed examples that highlight your role and contributions. Avoid generic responses that could apply to any project or role.
• Showcase Soft Skills: While the technical aspects are important, this question is also a great opportunity to show your interpersonal and communication skills.
• Reflect on Lessons Learned: If applicable, mention any challenges you faced and what you learned from them. This shows your ability to grow and adapt.
• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use numbers or statistics to quantify the impact of your actions. This adds credibility to your story.
• Practice Your Answer: Ensure you can deliver your response smoothly and confidently. Practicing out loud can help refine your storytelling skills.

Remember, your goal is to demonstrate that you're not only technically capable but also adept at navigating the human aspects of implementing automation solutions.