Introduction
For aspiring Product Managers eyeing FAANG-level companies, understanding how to construct a product from scratch is crucial. This article focuses on answering a hypothetical design question: Assuming Google Books didn’t exist, how would you design it? Breaking down this daunting task is key to impressing your interviewers.
Detailed Guide on Framework Application
Picking the Right Framework
The CIRCLES Method™, formulated by Lewis C. Lin, is a popular framework for design questions. It encompasses Customer needs, Identify the customer, Report the customer needs, Cut through prioritization, List out solutions, Evaluate tradeoffs.
Step-by-Step Framework Application
Applying the CIRCLES Method™ to design Google Books, your answer structure can look like this:
- Comprehend the Context: Understand Google Books’ aim – a comprehensive, easy-to-use digital book platform.
- Identify the Users: Identify key user segments like avid readers, students, researchers, and authors.
- Report User Needs: Clarify user needs like accessibility, a vast collection of books, affordability, user-friendly interfaces, note-taking, and citation features.
- Cut: Prioritize features based on user impact, align with Google’s mission of organizing information, and technical feasibility.
- List Solutions: Propose a phased rollout starting with core features like search, read, purchase, and personal library management.
- Evaluate Tradeoffs: Analyze the benefits and drawbacks of each feature, determining what will be in version one versus what can wait.
Hypothetical Example
For instance, if you’re considering adding a social feature for shared annotations, you would need to balance user desire for collaboration against privacy concerns and implementation complexity.
Facts Checks and Approximations
Use industry benchmarks and analogies from existing digital platforms to extrapolate necessary information. For example, you could estimate server requirements based on comparison to similar digital libraries.
Effective Communication Tips
Communicate your thought process in a systematic way, using clear and concise language. Engage the interviewer with questions about their priorities, and be prepared to adapt your answer accordingly.
Conclusion
Being able to conceive and articulate the design for a complex product like Google Books is a perfect display of your product thinking capabilities. Use the CIRCLES Method™ to guide your process, drawing on real-world references and approximations. Your aim is to present a scalable, user-centric product vision that aligns with business goals and technological capabilities.