Design an Alarm Clock for the Blind
Google PM Interview: Product Design - Design an Alarm Clock for the Blind
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,
Is there any constraint on whether the alarm clock needs to be digital or analog?
A: Consider Digital Alarm Clock.Can the alarm clock be electro-mechanical, or does it need to adhere to a specific technology?
A: Its upto you to decide.What is the power source for this alarm clock?
A: You can consider rechargeable batteries.Who will be the primary users for this device? Are we focusing on a specific group with 100% visual disability, or will there be considerations for partial visual disability?
A: You may consider 100% visual disability.Can the target user group have other disabilities such as hearing or speaking impairments?
A: For the scope of this question only consider visual disability.Are we specifically targeting individuals with visual disabilities from birth, or is the user group open to those who developed visual impairments later in life?
A: You can consider visually impaired in general.
What are the current solutions or devices available in the market for visually impaired individuals?
A: Consider there are currently no specific solution available.Are there any additional features or functionalities beyond timekeeping and alarm setting that we should consider for the alarm clock?
A: Its upto you to decide.Should the alarm clock be designed for both indoor and outdoor use?
A: Its upto you to decide.Are there any specific preferences or requirements regarding the design aesthetics of the alarm clock for the visually impaired?
A: Its upto you to decide.
2. Define the Goal
The primary goal of designing an alarm clock for the visually impaired is to significantly improve the quality of life for visually impaired individuals and Drive Unit Sales/Adoption of the Product:
The objective is to encourage the widespread adoption of the designed alarm clock among the visually impaired community, ensuring that the product reaches a significant portion of the target market.
Metrics: Track the number of units sold, market penetration, and the overall adoption rate among the visually impaired population.
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:
Fully Blind Individuals:
Characteristics:
Complete visual impairment, unable to see anything.
Relies heavily on non-visual cues and tactile senses.
Partially Blind Individuals:
Characteristics:
Some level of visual impairment but not completely blind.
May have varying degrees of reliance on visual aids.
Visually Capable Caretakers:
Characteristics:
Individuals without visual impairment responsible for assisting visually impaired users.
May be family members, friends, or caregivers.
Given the goal of improving the quality of life for blind people and the potential for impact, focusing on the Fully Blind Individuals segment would make more sense. Here's why:
Solutions designed for fully blind individuals often cater to a broader audience, including partially blind individuals. The features developed for complete visual impairment can be adapted to accommodate varying levels of visual capability.
Fully blind individuals face more significant challenges due to complete visual impairment. Designing a solution tailored specifically for them would have a profound impact on improving their daily lives.
4. Pain Points
Following are some of the Pain Points for Fully Blind user segment,
Difficulty in Locating the Clock:
Fully blind users may face challenges in locating the alarm clock within their living space.
Lack of visual cues makes it harder for them to find the clock efficiently.
Operational Challenges:
Setting up and operating a traditional alarm clock with visual interfaces poses a significant challenge.
Buttons, switches, or screens with visual indicators are not accessible to those with complete visual impairment.
Uncertainty in Alarm Settings:
Fully blind users may struggle with uncertainty about whether the alarm is set correctly.
Without visual confirmation, they may find it challenging to verify the time and settings.
Limited Independence:
Dependence on others for setting up or adjusting the alarm limits the independence of fully blind individuals.
They may need assistance for routine tasks, impacting their sense of autonomy.
Inability to Reset or Change Time Easily:
Resetting or changing the time on a clock can be a cumbersome process without visual guidance.
Lack of tactile or auditory cues for adjusting settings creates frustration.
Potential Anxiety of Missing Alarms:
The fear of missing alarms due to uncertainty in settings can lead to anxiety.
Fully blind users may worry about oversleeping or missing important tasks.
Insufficient Battery or Power Notifications:
Traditional alarm clocks may lack notifications about low battery or power outages.
Fully blind users might not be aware when the clock is running on low battery, risking interruptions in alarm functionality.