## Introduction
As aspiring or seasoned Product Managers (PMs), you’re likely to face critical decision points that can significantly impact the product and the organization. A quintessential scenario is determining whether to go forward with shipping a feature that was developed prior to your tenure. This blog post will dissect this precise dilemma and underscore the importance of using structured frameworks for answering interview questions, particularly those aimed at testing decisiveness and product strategy skills. We will address the question: Can you establish a framework to decide on shipping a feature developed by a previous PM?
## Detailed Guide on Framework Application
Selecting the right framework can be crucial in structuring a comprehensive and convincing response. For our situation, the RICE scoring model (Reach, Impact, Confidence, and Effort) is an adaptable and suitable framework. This decision-making tool can help quantify and prioritize product features or projects.
## Step-by-Step Framework Application
- Reach: Estimate the number of users the feature will affect within a certain timeframe. For example, if the feature is anticipated to impact 10,000 users monthly, this provides a baseline metric for consideration.
- Impact: Evaluate how significantly the feature will influence your key performance indicators (KPIs) or objectives. If the feature could potentially increase user engagement by 20%, it’s a compelling argument in favor.
- Confidence: Assess the level of evidence supporting the projected reach and impact. This could be based on user testing data or the previous PM’s research. If you’re 70% confident in the data, it’s worth considering.
- Effort: Consider the amount of work required to ship the feature. If your engineering team needs two more weeks to finalize and test, compare this against the potential benefits.
Using these dimensions, you’ll create a RICE score, which provides a quantitative basis for your decision. Let’s say the feature scored high on reach and impact but required a significant effort to finalize. You might conclude that additional work is justified given the anticipated benefits.
## Facts Check and Approximations
Without access to all data points, use benchmarks and industry standards to guide your estimates. For instance, if you know that similar features have typically increased engagement by around 15%, use this as a proxy for your impact assessment.
## Communication Tips During the Interview
Convey your thought process transparently and logically. Walk the interviewer through your analysis, highlight why you have chosen the RICE framework, and ensure that your conclusions are supported by empirical data and rational approximations.
## Conclusion
Deciding whether to ship a feature from a previous PM involves meticulous consideration of numerous factors. Utilizing structured frameworks, like the RICE model, equips you to approach such decisions analytically and rationally. Be sure to practice applying these frameworks with diverse scenarios to gain agility and confidence in your interview preparations.
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