Problem Solving Process and Adaptability Questions

Assess a candidate's structured, repeatable approach to solving algorithmic and engineering problems across different domains. Candidates should be able to describe step by step how they clarify requirements and constraints, propose one or more high level plans, choose appropriate data structures and algorithms with estimated time and space complexity, implement a correct and readable solution, and then test and validate with normal, boundary, and pathological inputs. They should also show how they optimize and profile when needed and how they adapt if the first approach fails by presenting alternative strategies, simplifications, or incremental improvements. Interviewers evaluate communication of the plan, clarity of trade offs, decision making under time pressure, and the ability to iterate.