Practice

Fictional sample answer written by JoRoute to show the shape of a strong answer. Do not copy it: replace every detail with what is true for you.

First I would sort the three requests by deadline and by who is blocked if each one waits, because a request that holds up payroll beats one for an internal slide. Then I would do the most urgent one and tell the other two requesters straight away when they will get their answer. For example, I would say the variance analysis will come at 3 p.m. instead of noon. Planning in the open avoids missed deadlines without surprises, and I would note the clash so next month's close calendar spreads the work. At my last job in Phoenix I handled about three clashes like this every close.