Map dependencies early and track them as actively as your own deliverables. A dependency that slips two weeks will cost your project two weeks. Build buffer around critical external dependencies.
Strong answers cover: dependency mapping during planning, regular check-ins with dependent teams, early warning systems for dependency risks, contingency plans for delayed dependencies, and escalation paths. Best candidates discuss how to manage dependencies when you have no authority over the other team.
Critical PM skill. Most project delays come from external dependencies, not internal work. Candidates who proactively manage dependencies prevent the most common cause of project failure.