Introduction
In the realm of product management interviews, especially those at top companies like Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple, Netflix, and Google (FAANG), candidates are often tested on their analytical prowess and their ability to tackle complex, data-oriented questions. Such questions are designed to assess a candidate’s technical understanding and decision-making skills. We will explore a common type of question that aspiring Product Managers (PMs) may encounter in their interviews: “Estimate the bandwidth of Google Maps.” The objective here is not only to provide an estimate but to showcase your methodological approach and analytical skills using a structured framework.
Detailed Guide on Framework Application
Framework Selection
When approaching an estimation question, it’s helpful to use the “Estimation” framework, which breaks down a problem into manageable parts. This framework enables the candidate to make educated guesses and to showcase logical reasoning. Here, we will go through this method step by theoretical step.
Step-by-Step Framework Application
The estimation framework generally involves defining the parameters of your estimate, breaking down the problem into smaller, more manageable components, and then gradually building up to the final estimate. Here’s how to apply this framework to estimate the bandwidth of Google Maps:
- Define the Scope: Begin by clarifying the scope of the estimation – are you estimating the bandwidth over a day, a month, or a year? For this example, let’s consider a single day.
- Identify Factors: Determine the factors that contribute to bandwidth usage on Google Maps. This includes data types (map tiles, traffic information, search queries, etc.) and the average size of each data type.
- User Metrics: Estimate the number of active users and typical user behavior – how often they open the app, the length of each session, and what features they use.
- Data Calculation: Calculate the data usage per user by multiplying the average size of each data type by the average number of uses per session.
- Aggregate Estimation: Multiply the average data usage per user by the number of active users to arrive at the total bandwidth usage.
Let’s apply this framework with some hypothetical examples:
- Imagine Google Maps has 1 billion daily active users.
- A typical user opens the app thrice a day and looks up two locations each time.
- Each action like a map tile load might use about 500 KB of data.
- Additional features like Street View or downloading offline maps could use significantly more, say around 5 MB per view or download.
Using these estimations:
- Total daily map tile loads: 1 billion users * 3 sessions * 2 searches = 6 billion loads.
- Total data for map loads: 6 billion loads * 500 KB = 3,000 TB per day.
- If 1% of users utilize high bandwidth features like Street View or offline maps: 10 million * 5 MB = 50 TB per day.
- Total estimated bandwidth is then 3,050 TB per day.
Fact Checks and Assumptions
While candidates don’t have access to exact figures, it’s important to make realistic assumptions grounded in common knowledge or public data sources. For instance, Google’s published user statistics or standard sizes for internet traffic data types (like an average webpage or image file size) can serve as a reference.
Communication Tips
Clearly articulate your assumptions, why you’ve chosen them, and how you’ve sourced your data points. Structure your response logically so that your approach is transparent and your thought process is easy to follow for the interviewers.
Conclusion
Successfully estimating the bandwidth of Google Maps, or any such product, in a PM interview involves a strategic approach broken down into actionable steps. Remember to define your scope, identify the contributing factors, make informed assumptions, and mathematically deduce your answer. Reiterate the importance of clarity in communication, and encourage candidates to refine their estimation skills with practice. With these strategies, aspiring Product Managers can demonstrate their analytical capabilities and impress their FAANG interviewers.