Varun's response fails to address the question regarding managing project timelines and budgets, as he requests to return to a previous topic instead. This indicates a lack of focus and preparedness to discuss relevant experiences, which undermines his credibility in the interview. In contrast, the benchmark response clearly outlines effective strategies for managing project timelines and budgets, emphasizing the use of Agile methodologies, stakeholder collaboration, and project management tools. It provides a structured approach to project management, demonstrating a strong understanding of how to deliver projects successfully within constraints. Varun needs to prepare to discuss his relevant experiences directly and provide thoughtful responses to the questions asked.