What if before product launch, the director of engineering tells you that due to technical complexities, the development of the feature would significantly delay the launch of the product. As a PM, what will you do?

Here’s how I would approach it:

1. Understand the Scope of the Problem with engineering team

• Will connect with the engineering team to fully understand the technical complexities causing the delay. This includes identifying the root causes, the specific roadblocks, and the estimated timelines for resolving them.
• Asses the impact to determine how crucial the feature which causes delay to the overall product launch. Is it a core feature or a “nice-to-have”? 

2. Explore Alternative Solutions

• MVP Approach: Evaluate if feature can be broken into phases to unblock the release. This allows the team to launch the core product while continuing to work on the complex feature.
• Borrow other team members: Evaluate if bringing in more engineers, external consultants, or leveraging third-party tools could help resolve the issue faster.

3. Re-evaluate the Timeline and Prioritise

• Work with the engineering team to reassess the feature development timeline, break down tasks, and prioritize essential elements that can be completed within the original timeline.

4. Communicate with Stakeholders

• Keep stakeholders informed about the status and impact of the delay with the new timelines.