So, you are applying for a post with the Civil Service or other Government department and the job description states that you will be examined on a number of behaviours one of which is Delivering at Pace.
So just what is Delivering at Pace and what does it mean?
In this article we debunk this behaviour, we make it easy to understand, we give you some top interview questions to expect plus how to write a really strong 250 word example answer for inspiration.
In this article:
- Delivering at Pace Civil Service Behaviour
- What does Delivering at Pace mean?
- Delivering at Pace Interview Questions
- How to Answer Delivering at Pace Interview Questions
- Demonstrating Delivering at Pace Examples
- Delivering at Pace Example 250 Words
Delivering at Pace Civil Service Behaviour
Delivering at Pace is all about getting the job done on time and to the expected standard.
You may also see it referred to as Achieving or Delivering Results or Operational Delivery and it deals specifically with the performance of tasks.
This is another of the 9 core Civil Service behaviours and it encompasses a number of additional competencies, such as Planning and Organising and Time Management. It covers the ability to maintain focus and dedication, to follow procedure, and to use your own initiative.
We are seeing this used in all Civil Service and Government Department roles including in the Home Office, Department of Transport, HMRC and the DWP.
What does Delivering at Pace mean?
Your ability to get the job done, to deliver on time, within budget and to a required standard is a universal skill. Most employers, not just the civil service will expect this behaviour.
From a work context, Delivering at Pace relates to the way you perform in your role and it deals specifically with the performance of tasks. Another way of thinking about it is how to deliver the results they want while under pressure and overcoming obstacles.
To be effective at delivering at pace and achieving results you must be focused on offering a timely performance with enthusiasm. It is also all about taking full responsibility and accountability for the outcomes and results of your work.
Put into simple terms, Delivering at Pace means:
- Producing top quality results within pre-set and often tight deadlines, making sure that you monitor your own and your team’s progress and successfully overcome any obstacles.
- Stay focussed on the outcome, even when the going gets tough, staying positive throughout and bringing your colleagues and team with you.
- For senior roles, it involves managing the workload of the team, reviewing progress, identifying and overcoming risks, barriers and conflict.
- Proper planning, ensuring the right resources are in the right place and delivering projects in line with objectives and goals.
Delivering at Pace Interview Questions
Here are a small selection of competency based interview questions related to Delivering at Pace taken from the InterviewGold online training system.
How would you answer?
- Give us an example of when you delivered an exceptional result, detailing obstacles you encountered and how you overcame them.
- Tell us about a time when you were unable to complete a task within the set deadlines.
- Give an example of a time you identified a more efficient way to complete a task or process. What was the result?
- Describe a situation when you had to make a change in order to successfully deliver a project.
- Tell me about a time you had to work to a tight deadline. How did you manage your time and ensure the task was completed successfully?
- Give us and example of when you managed and supported both yourself and your team to successfully deliver agreed objectives and goals.
- Describe a time when you took responsibility for delivering the outcomes that were expected of you within the agreed timeframes and to an adequate standard.
• For civil service candidates
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How to Answer Delivering at Pace Interview Questions
What is required is a strong and relevant example clearly showing that you possess this skill. We look at ways to demonstrate Delivering at Pace below however first here are some tips to help you formulate a winning answer.
- Use the STAR Formula: As with all competency-based questions in the interview, you want to give a specific example of your ability to Delivery at Pace. To effectively communicate your strengths and behaviours in this story, use the STAR or IPAR structure, being sure to lay out the situation or context and the action you took, as well as a result.
- Analyse the Question: Listen carefully to the question to ascertain what competency the recruiter is exploring with you. The question may talk about tight deadlines or competing priorities. It might be that they talk about how you cope with obstacles or internal conflicts that slow progress. These questions seek to understand how you get the results no matter the circumstances and with no excuses.
- Show Correct Positive Behaviours: You must show the correct positive behaviours relevant to the role and your level. These will be scored accordingly as they are mentioned.
- Relevant Civil Service Strengths: Refer to the Civil Service strengths dictionary too as they will listen and score you as they hear these being shown also.
- Show Technical Experience and Skills: Good answers might include reference to delegation or breaking the project down into smaller goals. You might reference the management of schedules and the use of project management strategies, especially any review of the team’s performance and the lasting outcomes of the project.
- Manage Your Schedule: Prioritisation is a keyword to use in an example, as is understanding your role in motivating the team to deliver effectively and efficiently.
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Demonstrating Delivering at Pace Examples
In our coaching practice we see how challenging it can be for clients to recall examples of times when they used the Delivering at Pace competency. Delivering at Pace can be demonstrated in many forms and here are some example scenarios to help refresh your memory when choosing your examples.
Can you recall a time when you…
- Dealt with changes to your workload, perhaps your boss asked you to complete a task towards the end of the day.
- Successfully met a challenge required you to work over and above your normal hours or expectations
- Prioritised your tasks in order to get through a heavy workload.
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Delivering at Pace Example 250 Words How to Write
To score high whether in your interview or with your statement on your application the key is to choose a string relevant and complex example to describe.
Here is how to write a top scoring Delivering at Pace example and please note these tips apply to any length from 250 words up to 750 and over.
Situation:
To write a strong 250-word example for the “Delivering at Pace” behaviour, start with the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Choose a scenario where you met a challenging deadline or efficiently handled multiple priorities.
Task:
Be specific and define the task clearly but just a single sentence or two is sufficient. Many people spend too much of the word count here and they lose out.
Action:
Describe the actions you took that led to the positive outcome whether it was a tough task being completed on time or a problem resolved effectively. Use active language and show accountability, adaptability, and resilience under pressure.
This is the part that will score most marks. In the actions you must show three things:
- Correct positive behaviours matching the Civil Service framework
- The relevant Civil Service strengths
- Clear capability with this behaviour
Without those, your answer will not score well.
Result:
Finally, the result o outcome of also of vital importance it gives evidence of your skills. Quantify your outcome where possible, and end with a measurable result—e.g., “met deadline two days early” or “increased output by 20%.” Focus on clarity, outcomes, and how your actions contributed to team or organisational goals.
For example: “By the end of the trial, we saw a 22% improvement in processing time, fewer internal queries, and a noticeable reduction in resident follow-up calls. The process was then rolled out to the wider team. I received positive feedback for taking initiative and helping the team work more efficiently under pressure. This experience strengthened my ability to deliver at pace while still maintaining accuracy and a user-focused approach.”
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All Civil Service Behaviours and Grades Covered from AO/AA, EO, SEO/HEO up to G6/7
