## How Much Laundry Detergent is Used Around the World Annually? A Guide to Answering Estimation Questions in FAANG PM Interviews

### Introduction

As aspiring Product Managers (PMs) aiming for FAANG companies, mastering the interview process is crucial. One essential skill is responding to complex questions with structured, insightful answers. This blog post focuses on handling an intriguing estimation question often encountered: **How much laundry detergent is used around the world annually?** This question not only examines analytical thinking but also tests your ability to make educated guesses based on logical assumptions – a talent every PM should possess.

### Detailed Guide on Framework Application

#### Selecting the Appropriate Framework

We’ll be applying the CIRCLES Method™, a framework introduced by Lewis C. Lin in ‘Decode and Conquer: Answers to Product Management Interviews’. CIRCLES stands for Comprehend, Identify the customer, Report the customer need, Cut through prioritization, List solutions, Evaluate tradeoffs, and Summarize recommendations. While this method is usually for design questions, it can be pragmatically altered to approach estimation questions as well.

#### Comprehend and Calculate

Firstly, we need to comprehend the question and confirm our understanding with the interviewer. We clarify that we are concentrating on household laundry detergent usage globally, excluding industrial or institutional use.

#### Identifying the Variables

Next, identify the variables that influence detergent usage. These would include:

• Number of households globally
• Frequency of doing laundry
• Average amount of detergent used per load
• Variations in usage based on culture and economic status

#### Report the Estimation Process

Once we have identified our variables, we report our process for estimation back to the interviewer. This breeds confidence in the interviewer that you have a structured method in place.

#### Calculating Step-by-Step

Assuming we have 2.5 billion households worldwide, and considering that the average household does laundry about 3 times a week, we can estimate the number of laundry events per year. We then state the probable quantity of detergent used per load (let’s say 40 grams), which allows us to calculate the total annual consumption.

#### Ensure Plausibility

Concurrently, we must perform reality checks to ensure our estimations are plausible, adjusting through approximation where necessary. We don’t need the exact figure but rather a logical estimate that holds up to scrutiny.

#### Communicating with Confidence and Clarity

As we present our proposed numbers, it’s imperative to articulate them confidently, while being open to adjustment based on the interviewer’s feedback or additional data.

### Conclusion

In summary, approaching an estimation question like the global consumption of laundry detergent requires breaking down a big, vague query into manageable parts, employing logical assumptions, and communicating the process and estimates clearly. By regularly practicing this framework and honing your estimation skills, you’ll become more adept at fielding similar questions in your FAANG PM interviews. Remember, the key is not to find the exact number but to showcase your analytical prowess and structured thought process. Good luck!

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