How to Answer “Tell Me About a Time You Made a Non-Data-Driven Decision” in a FAANG PM Interview
This article will guide you through answering the interview question: “Tell me about a time you made a decision that was not data-driven. What is something that you could’ve changed to make that decision?”
Introduction
In FAANG product management interviews, you’ll encounter questions that go beyond data-driven decisions. This specific question tests your ability to think strategically and adapt when data is scarce. This guide will equip you with the frameworks and strategies to effectively answer this question.
Framework Application
The Situation-Task-Action-Result (STAR) framework is ideal for this introspective and behavioral question. It helps you narrate a real-life scenario to the interviewer.
a. Choosing the STAR Framework
The STAR framework allows you to tell a coherent story, ensuring all aspects of your actions and decisions are covered. It’s especially useful when discussing past experiences where data wasn’t the sole factor in decision-making.
b. Step-by-Step Guide on How to Apply the STAR Framework
- Situation: Describe the environment, project, or problem you faced, focusing on the lack of data or why data wasn’t the sole factor.
- Task: Clearly state the objective or goal you aimed to achieve.
- Action: Detail the specific actions you took, emphasizing intuitive, experience-based, or innovative approaches you used in the absence of data. Explain your thought process and any frameworks or heuristics you used.
- Result: Share the outcome of your actions. Discuss what you learned and how it informed your future decision-making processes. Reflect on what could’ve been changed to make the decision more effective.
c. Hypothetical Example
Imagine you were part of a PM team working on a messaging app, and you had to decide whether to include a new feature that allows users to edit messages after they’ve been sent. Without extensive data on user demand, you relied on your understanding of the market, competitive analysis, user feedback, and potential risks versus benefits. You led a team to implement a basic version of the feature to gauge user interest and adoption informally. The feature was met with positive responses, leading to a full rollout and a subsequent increase in user engagement.
d. Facts Checks
In scenarios lacking data, check the veracity of any assumptions made and ensure your actions align with industry best practices and user expectations. For instance, even without data, it is reasonable to assume that users of a messaging app would appreciate features that reflect common communication behaviors, such as correcting mistakes.
e. Communication Tips
Be confident but open to the idea that data could have improved the process. Acknowledge the value of data-driven decision-making while also showing your flexibility and analytical prowess. Clearly articulate your reasoning and the factors that influenced your decision, and don’t hesitate to discuss alternate paths you could have taken with more data.
Conclusion
To successfully navigate this interview question, employ structured frameworks like STAR and communicate a balanced approach to decision-making. Recalling a relevant situation, detailing the task at hand, explicating the actions taken, and reflecting on the results achieved, provides a full-picture response that can impress interviewers. Remember, the key is to demonstrate critical thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and the ability to operate effectively—even in the absence of data. Aspiring FAANG PMs should practice with the STAR framework to prepare for a variety of behavioral interview questions.