Start by listening to the team. They know what is broken. Then reset stakeholder expectations honestly before creating a recovery plan with quick wins.
Strong answers follow a structured recovery approach: assess current state honestly (listen to the team), identify the root causes (scope, resources, communication), reset expectations with stakeholders, create a realistic recovery plan, quick wins to rebuild morale, and establish new cadences. Best candidates resist the urge to change everything at once.
Senior PM scenario. Tests composure, diagnostic skills, and leadership under pressure. Ask: "What if the sponsor does not accept the revised timeline?" to test stakeholder management skills.