Varun's response indicates a significant gap in experience or preparation, as he outright states that he cannot explain a situation related to gathering complex requirements for a life sciences IT project. This lack of engagement and inability to provide relevant examples is concerning, especially for a candidate applying for a Product Manager role in a specialized field. The benchmark response, however, provides a comprehensive and structured approach to gathering complex requirements, detailing specific steps taken to ensure stakeholder needs were met. It emphasizes the importance of stakeholder engagement, collaborative workshops, documentation, prioritization, and continuous communication. Varun should focus on preparing relevant examples from his experience or discussing how he would approach such a situation based on best practices.