## Deep Dive: How to Answer “What Feature Will You Improve at DoorDash?”
This blog post delves into a common interview question for aspiring product managers at FAANG companies like DoorDash. Product interviews often assess a candidate’s ability to think strategically about feature improvement. We’ll tackle the question: “What feature will you improve at DoorDash?” using the CIRCLES Method™ framework from ‘Decode and Conquer: Answers to Product Management Interviews.’
Detailed Guide on Framework Application
The CIRCLES Method™ is a powerful tool for answering feature improvement questions:
- Comprehend the Situation: Understand DoorDash’s product offerings, target audience, and market needs.
- Identify the Customer: Pinpoint who benefits from the feature improvement (end consumer, delivery personnel, restaurants).
- Report the Customer’s Needs: Articulate the specific needs of the identified customer.
- Cut Through Prioritization: Use data and the Impact vs. Feasibility framework to prioritize features based on DoorDash’s objectives and resources.
- List the Solutions: Brainstorm and evaluate various solutions that address the prioritized needs.
- Evaluate Tradeoffs: Assess the pros and cons of each solution, considering all stakeholders.
- Summarize Your Recommendations: Recommend the feature improvement with the most value.
Applying the CIRCLES Method™: A Hypothetical Example
Let’s imagine DoorDash wants to improve customer retention. We’ll apply the CIRCLES Method™:
- Comprehend: Analyze retention metrics to identify areas of improvement.
- Identify: Our customer base is primarily urban residents who value convenience.
- Report: These customers need a more personalized and efficient ordering experience.
- Cut: Prioritize enhancing the recommendation engine due to its high impact on user experience and existing data capabilities.
- List: Propose machine learning-driven personalized menus or faster reordering features.
- Evaluate: A personalized menu might increase discovery but requires significant machine learning resources. Faster reordering benefits recurrent users and is easier to implement.
- Summarize: Recommend improving the reordering feature by integrating machine learning to suggest previous orders, balancing impact and feasibility.
Remember: While you may not know exact data, approximate assumptions are acceptable. State them clearly and be ready to adjust if provided with new information.
Communication is Key
Articulate your thoughts clearly, stay concise, and always prioritize user needs. Being well-versed in the product and market allows for informed assumptions and recommendations.
Conclusion
Structured frameworks like CIRCLES Method™ are crucial for demonstrating strategic and user-centric thinking in product management interviews. Remember to understand the product and its users, prioritize wisely, and communicate your recommendations clearly. Practice with hypothetical scenarios to master this approach and stand out in your next FAANG product manager interview.
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