How would you design a bicycle renting app for tourists?
Google Product Manager Interview Questions: Product Design - How would you design a bicycle renting app for tourists?
Why are Product Design Questions asked?
Product design is an integral aspect of the product management process. It involves taking an idea and turning it into a fully-realized, usable product. In the product design process, product managers must consider a wide range of factors, including customer needs, technical requirements, and business goals.
One way for an interviewer to assess a candidate's ability to design products effectively is to ask product design interview questions. These questions are designed to help interviewers understand the candidate's thought process, problem-solving abilities, and creativity.
One of the key things that product design interview questions evaluate is a candidate's ability to think structurally in an ambiguous environment. Product management often involves making decisions with incomplete information and understanding how to proceed despite uncertainty.
Another important aspect of product design is identifying pain points in the customer journey. This involves understanding customer needs and pinpointing areas where the current product or service falls short. Good product managers are able to listen to customer feedback and use it to inform product decisions.
Product design also requires creativity and imagination. Interviewers may ask questions that evaluate a candidate's ability to come up with new and innovative solutions to design problems.
Additionally, being able to estimate the required efforts, time, and costs that would be needed to implement a product design is a key factor in any product management interview.
How to Answer Product Design Questions?
Here is a step-by-step guide/framework, you should follow while answering product design interview questions:
1. Ask clarifying Questions to narrow the scope. (Q)
2. Define the Goal you want to achieve. (G)
3. List the User Segments and choose one segment to focus on. (U)
4. List and prioritize the Pain Points. (P)
5. List out your Solutions. (S)
6. Evaluate the solutions and prioritize them. (E)
7. Walk through the MVP & Define the Success Metrics (M)
8. Summarize your answer (S)
(PQ-GUP-SEMS) -> Mnemonic to help you remember the steps & their order.
Answer
1. Ask Clarifying questions
Q) Can we include both normal bicycles and e-bikes?
A) Yes, both types of bikes are included.Q) Are we targeting any specific geography?
A) Consider a specific country of your choice (say India).Q) Are we targeting any specific platform or OS? like, App/Web, Android/IOS.
A) Upto you to decide.Q) Is the bike rental service only for tourists, or can anyone rent a bike?
A) Anyone can rent it.Q) Are international and national tourists both included in the target audience?
A) Yes, both types of tourists are included.Q) Does the project scope include designing the physical aspects of the bike rental service?
A) No, only the app design is within scope.Q) Why do we want to design & develop the app?
A) To promote easy sightseeing and transportation and reduce traffic & pollution.
2. Goal
In today's world, there is a growing interest in using bicycles as a way to explore new cities and destinations. Many people choose to use bicycles for exercise, sightseeing, or transportation. However, for tourists who are not familiar with the area, finding a reliable bicycle rental shop can be a challenging task. In order to make it easier for tourists to rent bicycles and promote cycling as a mode of transportation, a bicycle renting app for tourists is needed.
The goal of this project is to design a bicycle renting app that will help tourists to rent bicycles easily and conveniently. The app aims to promote sightseeing, transportation, and cycling, while also contributing to reducing traffic congestion and pollution. The app will be designed with the needs of tourists in mind, making it simple and intuitive to use, with clear and concise information about available bicycles, rental rates, and other details.
Goal: Design a bicycle renting app to promote sightseeing, transportation, cycling and reduce traffic & pollution.
3. User Segments
The bicycle-renting app could target the following three main user segments:
Tourists: This is the primary user group, comprising solo travellers, groups of friends, and families. Their main objectives are to explore popular tourist destinations in the city, such as museums, zoos, monuments, and other sightseeing spots. The app aims to provide a convenient and affordable way for tourists to explore the city at their own pace while reducing traffic congestion and pollution.
Guides/Travel Agencies: This user segment may want to include bike rentals as an optional service for their customers. The app can provide a platform for these users to make bookings and manage their rentals.
Locals: This segment of users would use the app primarily for daily travel and errands. By renting bikes instead of driving or using public transportation, locals can save time, money, and reduce their carbon footprint.
Given the app's primary focus on promoting sustainable tourism and reducing traffic and pollution, the tourist user segment is the top priority. By providing tourists with a convenient and eco-friendly mode of transportation, the app can enhance their travel experience and help them explore the city in a more engaging and authentic way.
4. User Journey:
The user journey in a bike renting app would typically involve the following steps:
Registration or Login:
The user opens the app and either registers or logs in using their existing credentials.Search for Rental Shop:
The user selects their preferred location and searches for rental shops nearby or in the specific location they want to visit.Browse Available Bikes:
The app displays a list of available bikes in the selected rental shop, along with their prices and other details such as size, type, and features. The user can browse through the options and select the bike they want to rent.Book and Pay:
Once the user has selected their preferred bike, they can book it by choosing the rental duration and paying for it using a secure payment gateway. The app provides a confirmation of the booking and a receipt for the payment.Pick up the Bike:
The user goes to the selected rental shop to pick up the bike. They may need to show their ID and booking confirmation to verify their identity and rental details.Ride the Bike:
The user takes the bike and starts riding it. They may use the map feature in the app to navigate to their desired destination.Return the Bike:
Once the rental period is over, the user returns the bike to the rental shop, following the instructions provided in the app. The rental shop may verify the bike's condition and check for any damages.Review and Rating:
After returning the bike, the user can leave a review and rating for the rental shop, which can help other users make informed decisions.Support and Assistance:
The app provides customer support and assistance in case of any issues or concerns during the rental period or after returning the bike.