What would be a reason for you to decide against a particular project?

PrepLounge: Personal Fit
New answer on Jan 28, 2024
23 Answers
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Anonymous A asked on Oct 07, 2019

How would you answer this question in your Personal Fit interview? Receive feedback on your answer and browse through the Q&As to review the approaches of other applicants and experts.

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Daniel
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 18, 2019
McKinsey / ex-Interviewer at McKinsey / I will coach you to rock those interviews

Answering this question, it’s important to name reasons which fit well into the MBB narrative and a job of consulting – and obviously avoid the reasons which do not. Good reasons to name would be:

  • Your tegridy – you are not comfortable with the work this client is doing (e.g. tobacco or weapons manufacturer), so you are not going to work for them
  • You feel that the positive impact of the project on the client is not as significant and is not worth your fees – the client would be better off doing it without you
  • You feel that the project is badly scoped – the resources available for the project would not bring the results promised to the client

All in all, answer thinking about your client’s interests first and your personal interests second (except in the case of tegridy, because this money can’t buy)

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jul 06, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

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Anonymous L replied on Jan 28, 2024

- Historical issues with clients

- Lack of available resources

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Anonymous K replied on Dec 19, 2023

I believe that the main reason that would make me decide against a project is a lack of opportunities of growth

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Anonymous B replied on Sep 15, 2021

It violated my morality, ethical code, or the law. 

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Lukas replied on Dec 13, 2021

1. When it is something that does not align with my values, for instance a project that goes on the cost of our climate.

2. When I feel like the project is going in a wrong direction and is a waste of time and other resources.

3. When I feel like someone else is a better fit.

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Anonymous C replied on Feb 02, 2022

If I did not have the necessary skills for completing the tasks and if it in my eyes would be impossible to acquire them in a timely manner. 

 

Furthermore, if it is against the law or the compliance regulation of my organisation or if it violates certain individual's rights.

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William replied on Jul 11, 2023

If there were ethical concerns around the project that signified red-flags for the firm, then this would be a good reason to decide against a project.  For instance, if working on a project caused a conflict of interest, then it would be right to decide not to work on the project.

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Anonymous F replied on May 14, 2022

When the client is doing business unethically 

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Anonymous E updated the answer on Apr 01, 2022

Staffing in a very remote place for a prolonged period of time with difficulties to travel

(edited)

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Anonymous D replied on Feb 25, 2022

It is not required by the client; It is not feasible given the resources available or there are more efficient alternatives available  

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Ravindra Kabali replied on Jan 26, 2022

If the given data/information is not clear and concise and leads to no value addition / results

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j novitasari replied on Jan 22, 2022

too easy

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Mpumelelo replied on Apr 17, 2020

N/A

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Anonymous J replied on Mar 28, 2023

Honestly, this is a though question. Because in most situations I don’t shy away from challenges and try to figure out how to manage them. However, the only situation I could imagine spontaneously in which I would decide against a specific project is when participating on the project is unethical. For example, when strong personal ties to an employee of another firm would lead to a conflict of interests.

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Lukas replied on Mar 17, 2023

Possible Reason: I can not justify the project goals for ethical reasons

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Mariana replied on Jan 17, 2023

If it goes against my fundamental values.

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Anonymous H replied on Jan 07, 2023

The project would have to be harmful to society. 

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Anonymous G replied on May 25, 2022

If the project is too technical, I will decide against it. By technical, I mean if it relies heavily on IT industry as I do not have that background. Even if I can google it, I would need to invest a lot of time in covering the basics.

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Amrutha updated an answer on Nov 09, 2023
Essec Business School| Consulting experiences

In co-operative people 

Lack of goals in the near and distant future

No resources 

No value to the company or the mission 

(edited)

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Yasmin replied on Nov 01, 2023

If to compromised my personal values and beliefs. 

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Moritz replied on Mar 25, 2023

jtreztbztrzerzerzetze

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Anonymous I replied on Feb 28, 2023

Moral

- negative social impact (relocating 1000 people for a new entertainment center)

Practical

- low odds of succeeding (trying to synthesize complex natural products in our lab)

- necessary technology not yet available

Expertise

- would require a lot of know-how that we cannot deliver in the amount of time

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Daniel gave the best answer

Daniel

Content Creator
McKinsey / ex-Interviewer at McKinsey / I will coach you to rock those interviews
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