Let your intern find out what happens when a client receives a sub-standard report.
Forward the draft report to other analysts in your department for their own comments.
Ask your own manager what would have happened if you hadn't checked this report.
Email your collated amends to the intern; offering to explain each one in further detail.
Correct answer is D
The MOST effective response, (D), offers your own time to improve the report. This goes beyond your day-to-day job responsibility of managing the intern's work. Unfortunately for you, on this one report, you do need to put even more time and effort than you'd be expected to.
The LEAST effective response is (A) since you already know the client will not be happy with the draft report as it stands. Your attitude could easily backfire and may result in a client complaint to your manager.
Answer response (B) is an expedient option. You pass over your day-to-day intern responsibility to the rest of the team. This also introduces further delay in the report's delivery to your client.
Answer option (C) may or may not earn you some kudos with your manager. Still, it deliberately makes your intern look bad in your manager's eyes.
Take a few moments to consider how much time you need to finish working on your customer’s problem and see if you can spend some time helping at the checkout.
Put your current task on hold for a while and go help your team at the till.
Apologise to your colleague and explain that you can’t help at the moment.
Ask your manager what you should do.
Correct answer is A
You are facing a conflict between your customer’s needs and your team’s needs, and are required to make a decision.
Answer choice A shows prioritisation before making your decision. You are aiming to multi-task and manage your time. In general, when you have conflicting goals, the responsible and organised approach is to take some time to prioritise and look for a solution that will balance your goals as much as possible.
In answer choice B, you choose the urgent task. However, because it’s urgent doesn’t necessarily mean it’s more important.
Answer choice C is the opposite – you turn down your colleague’s request. Answer choices B and C are reasonable responses; however, they both involve giving up on either your customer’s needs or your team’s needs, without considering your priorities and options.
Asking your manager (answer choice D) shows consideration for the importance of both tasks. You choose to ask your manager, who has a better understanding of the bigger picture and overall goals of the team. This is a reasonable response. Between A and D, A is a better answer to this question as you take time to consider, and show responsibility by making your customer your top priority.