Google Product Manager Prioritization Interview: Tilt Brush

Introduction

This tutorial focuses on the prioritization techniques used in product management, illustrated through a mock interview scenario featuring Tilt Brush, a virtual reality painting app by Google. Understanding how to prioritize features effectively is crucial for product managers to align their projects with user needs and business goals.

Step 1: Understand the Context and Goals

• Begin by clarifying the purpose of the product. For Tilt Brush, it is essential to identify who the primary users are and what their needs entail.
• Consider the broader goals of the project:
  • Enhance user engagement.
  • Improve user experience.
  • Drive adoption rates.

Practical Tips

• Research market trends and user feedback to inform your understanding.
• Identify key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with the product goals.

Step 2: Gather Stakeholder Input

• Engage with various stakeholders to gather insights and perspectives:
  • Users: Conduct surveys or interviews to understand their pain points and desired features.
  • Developers: Discuss technical feasibility and potential challenges.
  • Marketing: Explore what features could help in promoting the app effectively.

Practical Tips

• Use tools like user personas to represent different segments of your audience.
• Document all feedback systematically for easy reference during prioritization.

Step 3: Create a Feature List

• Compile a comprehensive list of potential features based on the input from stakeholders.
• Organize features into categories such as:
  • Must-have features: Critical for product launch.
  • Nice-to-have features: Enhance user experience but not essential.
  • Future considerations: Features for later versions.

Practical Tips

• Use a collaborative platform (like Trello or Google Sheets) to keep track of features and their statuses.

Step 4: Prioritize Using Frameworks

• Utilize prioritization frameworks to assess and rank features effectively. Some popular frameworks include:
  • RICE (Reach, Impact, Confidence, Effort): Helps in quantifying the value of each feature.
  • MoSCoW (Must have, Should have, Could have, Won't have): A simple categorization method to prioritize features based on urgency.

Example of RICE Calculation

Feature: Collaborative Tools
- Reach: 1000 users
- Impact: 3 (on a scale of 1-5)
- Confidence: 80%
- Effort: 4 weeks

RICE Score = (Reach * Impact * Confidence) / Effort

Step 5: Review and Iterate

• After initial prioritization, review the list with stakeholders to ensure alignment with goals and user expectations.
• Be open to feedback and ready to make adjustments based on new insights or changing business dynamics.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Overlooking user feedback can lead to misaligned priorities.
• Failing to involve cross-functional teams may result in features that are technically unfeasible.

Conclusion

Prioritizing features for a product like Tilt Brush involves understanding user needs, gathering stakeholder input, creating a feature list, employing prioritization frameworks, and iterating based on feedback. By following these steps, product managers can make informed decisions that align with both user expectations and business objectives. As a next step, consider practicing these techniques with real-world projects to enhance your prioritization skills.