Introduction
Interviews at top tech companies often challenge candidates to display their innovation and problem-solving abilities. A classic prompt in these interviews is to ask how one would improve a familiar, everyday product. This blog will guide you through answering such a question: Improve a product you use daily. It’s vital to not only identify areas for improvement but to also articulate them within a structured framework. Below we’ll provide a structured approach to formulating your response.
Detailed Guide on Framework Application
Choosing a Framework
The CIRCLES Method, proposed by Lewis C. Lin in “Decode and Conquer,” is an excellent framework for product design and improvement discussions. CIRCLES is an acronym that stands for Comprehend, Identify, Report, Cut through, List, Evaluate, and Summarize.
Step-by-Step CIRCLES Framework Application
Applying the CIRCLES Method to the provided question involves:
- Comprehend: Clarify the product’s primary use and target audience.
- Identify: Pinpoint customer pain points and areas of dissatisfaction.
- Report: Explain the issues and their impact on customer experience.
- Cut through: Prioritize the problems to focus on the most critical based on impact.
- List: Brainstorm potential solutions for the prioritized problems.
- Evaluate: Assess each solution based on feasibility, impact, and alignment with business goals.
- Summarize: Conclude with a recommendation of the best solution.
Hypothetical Example
Let’s consider a candidate applying the CIRCLES framework to a common product:
I use a fitness tracking app daily, which I find incredibly useful for monitoring my exercise and health metrics. However, I have noticed a few pain points that could be addressed.
- Comprehend: The app is designed for people seeking to improve their physical fitness and health habits actively.
- Identify: The main issue is the lack of personalized recommendations for workouts and meal plans.
- Report: Users often feel overwhelmed with generic advice and may not find the best path to their fitness goals.
- Cut through: The most impactful improvement would be adding a personalized recommendation feature based on user data.
- List: Solutions could include developing an AI system that learns from user behavior or partnering with fitness coaches to create tailored plans.
- Evaluate: Implementing an AI solution is more scalable and, though initially complex, aligns with our tech-forward brand and could lead to high user engagement.
- Summarize: Consequently, the recommendation is to develop an integrated AI recommendation system tailored to individual users’ activity levels and health goals.
Fact Checks
Your suggestions should be based on user data, market analysis, or proven industry trends. Validate your solutions by comparing them with existing successful features in similar products or by conducting a brief competitive analysis.
Communicating Effectively During the Interview
Communicate your solution confidently and assert your rationale with conviction, rooting your argument in user benefits and business objectives. Be prepared to discuss alternative options and the reasoning behind your prioritization. Articulate your thoughts clearly and keep the user’s needs as the focus of the conversation.
Conclusion
When asked to improve a product you use daily, employing the CIRCLES Method can help structure your thoughts and present a clear, concise recommendation. This question allows interviewers to gauge your creativity, user empathy, and strategic thinking. Practice with various products to get comfortable with the framework and refine your ability to innovate within real-world constraints. Your proposed improvements should ultimately aim to enhance user satisfaction and drive business value.