CSJT Delivering Results at Pace Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You are managing a critical project with a fixed deadline. An unforeseen technical issue arises that your team has not encountered before, threatening a significant delay. What is the most effective initial action to demonstrate 'Delivering at Pace'?
- Conduct a detailed 'lessons learned' review to prevent the issue from happening on future projects.
- Immediately escalate to your sponsor, explain the delay, and formally request a deadline extension.
- Re-prioritise tasks to focus on the critical path, assemble a small expert group to rapidly investigate solutions, and timebox the investigation. (Correct answer)
- Instruct the entire team to work overtime until a solution is found, regardless of the impact on other tasks.
Correct answer: Re-prioritise tasks to focus on the critical path, assemble a small expert group to rapidly investigate solutions, and timebox the investigation.
This option is the most proactive and solution-focused. It demonstrates taking responsibility for the problem, maintaining momentum by re-prioritising, and using resources efficiently (small expert group, timeboxing) to resolve the blocker, which are all core aspects of Delivering at Pace.
Question 2: According to the UK Civil Service Behaviours framework, which statement best defines the essence of 'Delivering at Pace'?
- Building collaborative relationships across teams to ensure all stakeholders are in agreement before proceeding.
- Taking responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive. (Correct answer)
- Seeking out innovative new processes and technologies to fundamentally change how work is done.
- Using comprehensive data and evidence to ensure every decision is optimal and risk-free.
Correct answer: Taking responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
This answer directly reflects the official description of the 'Delivering at Pace' behaviour. The key elements are timeliness, quality, focus, drive, and personal responsibility for outcomes.
Question 3: You have two high-priority tasks with competing deadlines. Task A is for your direct line manager and is due tomorrow. Task B is for a senior stakeholder in another department and is also due tomorrow. You realize you cannot complete both to the required standard in the time available. Which action is most appropriate?
- Complete the task for your line manager first and then inform the other stakeholder that their task will be late.
- Attempt to complete both tasks simultaneously, accepting that the quality of both may be slightly lower than usual.
- Promptly inform both your line manager and the senior stakeholder of the conflict, clearly explaining the situation and asking for their help in prioritising the work. (Correct answer)
- Delegate one of the tasks to a junior colleague who has no experience with the work, hoping they can manage.
Correct answer: Promptly inform both your line manager and the senior stakeholder of the conflict, clearly explaining the situation and asking for their help in prioritising the work.
This action demonstrates accountability and proactive problem-solving. By communicating the conflict early to all relevant parties, you are taking responsibility for delivery, managing expectations, and seeking a collaborative solution to ensure the most critical work is completed. This aligns with reassessing workloads and priorities when there are conflicting demands.
Question 4: Which of the following actions is LEAST aligned with the principles of 'Delivering at Pace'?
- Regularly monitoring team progress against milestones and making adjustments as needed.
- Breaking down a large objective into smaller, more manageable work packages.
- Waiting until every piece of information is available and all uncertainties are resolved before starting a task. (Correct answer)
- Identifying potential risks to the timeline early and putting mitigation plans in place.
Correct answer: Waiting until every piece of information is available and all uncertainties are resolved before starting a task.
This approach, often called 'analysis paralysis', is the antithesis of Delivering at Pace. The behaviour requires taking initiative and making progress, often in the face of some uncertainty, while managing risks. Waiting for perfect information will invariably lead to delays and missed deadlines.
Question 5: A key dependency for your project is a report from another team, which has just been delayed by a week. This will directly impact your ability to meet a critical milestone. What is the most effective immediate step to mitigate this issue?
- Immediately contact the other team's manager to understand the reason for the delay, explore if a draft or partial data can be provided sooner, and see if you can offer any support. (Correct answer)
- Document the delay in your project log, noting that the milestone will be missed due to an external factor.
- Use last year's data as a substitute to keep the project moving, planning to rework it when the new report arrives.
- Inform your stakeholders that the milestone is now at risk and that there is nothing you can do until the other team delivers.
Correct answer: Immediately contact the other team's manager to understand the reason for the delay, explore if a draft or partial data can be provided sooner, and see if you can offer any support.
This is a proactive, collaborative, and solution-focused response. It demonstrates taking ownership of the problem (even if not the cause) and actively working to overcome the obstacle to minimise the impact on delivery, which is a key part of Delivering at Pace.
Question 6: A civil servant who effectively demonstrates 'Delivering at Pace' would most likely be observed doing which of the following?
- Creating a highly detailed project plan and refusing to deviate from it, even when circumstances change.
- Focusing exclusively on their own tasks and directing colleagues' queries to their line manager.
- Showing a positive attitude and resilience when faced with setbacks, and keeping the team focused on priorities. (Correct answer)
- Consistently prioritising urgent, low-impact tasks over important, long-term objectives to show they are busy.
Correct answer: Showing a positive attitude and resilience when faced with setbacks, and keeping the team focused on priorities.
A core element of Delivering at Pace is maintaining performance and focus, especially in challenging circumstances. This option highlights the resilience and leadership aspects of the behaviour, ensuring that personal and team efforts remain directed at the most important outcomes despite obstacles.
CSJT Delivering Results at Pace Questions and Answers 1
You are managing a critical project with a fixed deadline.
An unforeseen technical issue arises that your team has not encountered before, threatening a significant delay.
What is the most effective initial action to demonstrate 'Delivering at Pace'?