Introduction
In the journey to becoming a Product Manager in a FAANG company, you may encounter challenging interview questions designed to test your problem-solving and analytical skills. One such question is “How many windows are there in Tehran?” This question may seem peculiar at first glance, but it aims to assess your ability to handle estimation problems, which are an essential part of Product Management. Let’s explore how to tackle this estimation challenge using frameworks and strategies outlined in ‘Decode and Conquer: Answers to Product Management Interviews.’
Detailed Guide on Framework Application
Framework Selection: For this type of question, we will use the Fermi Estimation technique. Named after physicist Enrico Fermi, it helps to break down overwhelming questions into manageable parts and estimate quantities with little or no actual data.
Step-by-step Guide: Below is the step-by-step customization of the Fermi technique to estimate windows in Tehran:
- Define the Problem: Clarify what types of windows are being counted — residential, commercial, vehicles, etc.
- Gather Baseline Numbers: Estimate Tehran’s population and assume the average household size based on available data.
- Estimate Residential Windows: Estimate the number of households and then approximating the number of windows per household.
- Estimate Non-residential Windows: Factor in commercial buildings, office spaces, and other structures to the calculation.
- Adjust for Outliers: Adjust the estimates to account for large buildings or structures with significantly more or fewer windows.
- Summation: Combine all estimates to reach the final rough estimate.
Hypothetical Example: With Tehran’s estimated population of 8 million and an average household size of 3.5, there would be roughly 2.3 million households. If an average house has 10 windows, that’s 23 million residential windows. Adding an estimate for commercial and industrial buildings could bring the total to around 30 million windows.
Fact Checks: While exact data might not be available, ensure that household size and windows per household are reasonable estimates based on common knowledge and regional specifics.
Effective Communication Tips: Walk the interviewer through your thought process clearly, ensure your calculations are easy to follow, and justify your assumptions as logically tied to the local context when possible.
Conclusion
Product Management interviews are designed to probe the analytical and estimation skills of candidates. By breaking down the complex question of estimating the number of windows in Tehran into smaller, more manageable problems, candidates can show their structured thinking, and problem-solving capabilities. Remember to practice using the Fermi Estimation technique and similar frameworks to enhance your preparation for PM interviews in FAANG and other leading tech companies.