← Google Interview Insights

Google·Software Engineer·Technical Phone Screen·Senior

Senior
Jun 2026

Summary

Went through a solutions architect screen at Google and got hit with a project health metrics question. Pretty conceptual but harder to nail than it sounds when you're on the spot.

Questions Asked (1)

Q1

What KPIs would you use to measure the health of a project?

Product Analytics & MetricsStakeholder ManagementAgile / Sprint Management
Author's notes

I went straight to schedule variance and budget burn rate, which felt safe, but I could tell they wanted more.

Create a free account to read the full note

AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by acknowledging that KPIs should align with project goals and stakeholder expectations, then categorize metrics into delivery, quality, and team health. Emphasize that as a software engineer, you focus on actionable metrics that drive improvements, not just vanity numbers.

Pro tip: Tie KPIs to business outcomes and team well-being, and mention that you'd review them regularly with stakeholders to ensure they remain relevant and actionable.

1. Clarify Project Goals and Stakeholders

Understand the project's objectives and who the key stakeholders are to select relevant KPIs. This ensures metrics measure what matters to the business and the team.

2. Categorize KPIs

Group KPIs into categories such as delivery, quality, and team health. This provides a balanced view of project health and avoids over-optimizing one area.

3. Select Specific Metrics

Choose concrete metrics for each category, like sprint burndown for delivery, defect escape rate for quality, and team morale for health. Ensure they are measurable and actionable.

4. Set Targets and Baselines

Define realistic targets and baselines for each KPI to track progress over time. This helps in identifying trends and areas needing attention.

5. Review and Adapt

Regularly review KPIs with the team and stakeholders, and adjust as project goals evolve. This keeps metrics relevant and drives continuous improvement.

Key Points to Mention

  • Sprint burndown and velocity for tracking delivery progress
  • Defect escape rate and code coverage for measuring quality
  • Team morale and psychological safety for assessing team health
  • Lead time and cycle time for efficiency
  • Stakeholder satisfaction and feedback loops
  • Aligning KPIs with OKRs and business goals

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.