Fast Stream Situational Judgement

Question 1

You are a Fast Stream trainee and discover that a colleague has been using outdated data in a ministerial briefing that is due to be submitted today.
Your colleague is senior to you and has already approved the document.
What is the most effective course of action?

Accepted Answer

Raise the data concern directly with your colleague, explaining what you've found and suggesting the briefing be updated before submission

Answer

Say nothing as the colleague is more senior and has already approved it

Answer

Go directly to the minister's office to flag the error without telling your colleague

Answer

Send an anonymous email to the department's complaints team

Question 2

During a cross-departmental project meeting, two team members from different departments have a heated disagreement about resource allocation. You are chairing the meeting. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge both perspectives, suggest the specific point is taken offline for resolution, and refocus the meeting on agreed agenda items

Answer

End the meeting immediately and report both individuals to their line managers

Answer

Allow them to continue arguing until one concedes

Answer

Side with the team member whose department has more authority

Question 3

You receive a request from a journalist asking for data about your department's spending that you believe should be publicly available. Your communications team is unavailable. What is the best approach?

Accepted Answer

Explain that you'll need to direct their request through the proper communications channels and provide the contact details for when the team is available

Answer

Provide the data directly to the journalist to demonstrate transparency

Answer

Refuse to engage with the journalist entirely

Answer

Share the data but ask the journalist not to attribute it to you

Question 4

Your team has been asked to deliver a policy paper two weeks earlier than planned. You assess that the quality will be significantly compromised if you meet the new deadline. What is the most appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Present your manager with a clear assessment of the quality trade-offs, suggest which sections could be prioritised, and propose options for managing the risk

Answer

Agree to the new deadline without question — the minister's priorities come first

Answer

Refuse the new deadline outright and insist on the original timeline

Answer

Deliver the paper on the new deadline but include a disclaimer about its quality

Question 5

A member of the public contacts your team with a complaint about a government service. The issue falls outside your department's remit. How should you respond?

Accepted Answer

Listen to their concern, explain which department handles this matter, and offer to direct them to the correct team with relevant contact information

Answer

Tell them it's not your department's responsibility and end the conversation

Answer

Try to resolve the issue yourself even though it's outside your expertise

Answer

Promise to investigate the matter fully and report back within a week

Question 6

You notice that your team's approach to a particular process creates an unnecessary burden for a specific demographic group. No one has complained, and changing the process would require significant effort. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Raise the issue with your line manager, setting out the impact on the affected group and proposing a review of the process

Answer

Wait for a formal complaint before taking action

Answer

Change the process yourself without consulting anyone

Answer

Note it for the next scheduled process review in 18 months