Design an AI app to check out & try on clothes
Design an AI app to check out & try on clothes
Salesforce PM Interview: Product Design - Design an AI-based application in a store that would help customers check out clothes and try them on.
The primary responsibility of a product manager is to lead the vision, design, and development of a product. When a business decides to create a product, it is based on the recognition of a genuine customer need, one for which the customer is willing to pay. The product manager plays a crucial role in recognizing customer needs and steering the design and development of products that effectively address those needs.
This product design interview question assesses your comprehension of the process involved in transitioning from customer needs to product development. This process entails clearly defining the customer's identity and understanding what they aim to achieve. It also involves outlining various use case scenarios where the customer engages in activities related to the product, and subsequently, prioritizing the features to be developed.
What is the interviewer looking for?
The interviewer is gauging your performance based on the following:
Can you offer insightful observations about the customer and their requirements?
Are you capable of presenting a variety of use case scenarios that cover different aspects?
Is your response well-organized and coherent, or does it deviate from the main topic?
Do your solutions delve beyond superficial suggestions, offering in-depth descriptions?
Can you introduce unique ideas that set you apart from other candidates?
Does your demeanor convey confidence and credibility? Would your guidance be compelling to engineers and product professionals?
How to answer Product Design Questions?
Here is a step-by-step guide/framework, you should follow while answering product design interview questions:
Ask clarifying Questions to narrow the scope. (Q)
Define the Goal you want to achieve. (G)
List the User Segments and choose one segment to focus on. (U)
List and prioritize the Pain Points. (P)
List out your Solutions. (S)
Evaluate the solutions and prioritize them. (E)
Walk through the MVP & Define the Success Metrics (M)
Summarize your answer (S)
State which solution you would recommend.
Recap what the solution does and why it is beneficial.
Explain why you prefer this solution.
(PQ-GUP-SEMS) -> Mnemonic to help you remember the steps & their order.
Answer
1. Ask Clarifying questions
Here are some clarifying questions,
Q) Is the store limited to selling clothes only, or does it also sell other merchandise like jewellery, hats, shoes, and watches?
A) You can assume the store carries clothes and other merchandise such as jewellery, hats, shoes, and watches.
Q) Is the app targeted at a specific group of users? For example, are we focusing on:
Shoppers with a very high sense of fashion and brand preference?
Shoppers who struggle to make a decision about what they like and don't like?
Shoppers who find it hard to find clothes that suit them or fit them?
A) Assume that the app is targeted at shoppers who struggle to make a decision about what they like and don't like.
Q) Is the app intended to run on a kiosk within the store, or is it a mobile app that customers can use on their phones?
A) The app runs on mobile phones.
Q) Should the app be available on multiple platforms (iOS, Android, web)?
A) For the scope of this question, consider launching for Android, followed by iOS, and Web.
Q) Are there any specific functionalities or features that you want the app to have from the start?
A) It’s up to you to decide.
Q) What is the budget and timeline for developing this app?
A) The budget and timeline are flexible, but the initial MVP should be ready within 3 months.
Q) Are there any privacy concerns or data protection regulations that need to be considered when accessing user photos and social media profiles?
A) Yes, the app must comply with all relevant data protection regulations and ensure that user data is handled securely and with explicit user consent.
2. Define the Goal
The primary goal of the AI-based application that helps customers check out clothes and try them on is to enhance the shopping experience by providing personalized, convenient, and efficient solutions for indecisive shoppers. This involves leveraging AI to reduce decision-making time, improve customer satisfaction, and drive sales.
Metrics:
User Engagement:
Increase in daily active users (DAU).
Increase in Average session duration per user.
Customer Satisfaction and Sales:
Customer Satisfaction Scores: on the app's recommendations and overall shopping experience.
Increase in sales conversion rates: Measure the percentage of users who make a purchase after using the app's recommendations.
3. User Segments:
At this step, list down the different user groups that are part of the ecosystem of the problem you’re solving for.
User groups should be distinct from each other and have unique characteristics.
Here are some of the major user segments:
Indecisive Shoppers
Characteristics: These users struggle to make decisions about what clothes to buy. They often spend a lot of time in stores trying to decide between different outfits and need assistance in making their choices.
Fashion Enthusiasts
Characteristics: These users are highly interested in fashion and trends. They enjoy experimenting with different styles and often seek the latest fashion items.
Budget-Conscious Shoppers
Characteristics: These users shop with a strict budget in mind. They want to get the best value for their money and often compare prices and look for discounts.
Time-Constrained Shoppers
Characteristics: These users have limited time to shop and want a quick and efficient shopping experience. They prefer to find what they need as fast as possible.
Focus Segment: Indecisive Shoppers
Rationale for Choosing Indecisive Shoppers,
High Impact on User Experience: Indecisive shoppers often experience frustration and anxiety due to their difficulty in making decisions. By targeting this group, the AI-based application can significantly enhance their shopping experience, making it more enjoyable and efficient.
Broad Applicability: Indecisive shoppers represent a substantial portion of the general shopping population. Improving their experience can increase overall customer satisfaction and sales as these users feel more confident and supported in their purchasing decisions.
Increase in Store Loyalty: By providing a tailored shopping experience that addresses their specific needs, indecisive shoppers are more likely to develop loyalty to the store, returning for future purchases and recommending the store to others.
Reducing Abandoned Carts: Indecisive shoppers often leave without making a purchase due to their uncertainty. Providing them with helpful recommendations and a seamless decision-making process can reduce the rate of abandoned carts and increase conversion rates.
4. Pain Points
Following are some of the Pain Points for the ‘Indecisive Shoppers’ user segment,
Indecisive shoppers often struggle to choose from a wide variety of options available in the store, leading to prolonged shopping times and frustration.
These shoppers may lack confidence in their fashion choices, worrying about how the clothes will look on them or if they match their existing wardrobe.
The abundance of styles, colors, and brands can overwhelm indecisive shoppers, making it hard for them to narrow down their selections.
Indecisive shoppers may forget what items they have already tried on or considered, leading to repetitive browsing and wasted time.
They often seek opinions from friends, family, or store staff, which can be time-consuming and may not always be available.
Indecisive shoppers worry about missing out on better options or deals, which can lead to decision paralysis and indecision.
Balancing their desire for multiple items with a limited budget can complicate the decision-making process, causing further hesitation.
Concerns about whether an item will fit properly or suit their personal style can deter them from making a purchase.
Indecisive shoppers might not be up-to-date with current fashion trends, making it harder to choose trendy and stylish items.
The lack of personalized assistance or recommendations in-store can leave them feeling unsupported and unsure about their choices.
They may have limited time to shop and make decisions, leading to stress and hurried less satisfying purchases.
Difficulty in visualizing how different pieces will look together can result in poorly coordinated outfits, reducing satisfaction with purchases.