“Design a new feature for Facebook that enhances user engagement. How would you approach this problem?”
- Interviewee: To clarify, you’d like me to design a new feature for Facebook aimed at enhancing user engagement. Is that correct?
- Interviewer: Yes, that’s right.
- Interviewee: Before diving in, I have a few clarifying questions:
- [Clarification] What do you mean by “enhancing user engagement”? Are we focusing on increasing time spent on the platform, improving interaction rates, or something else?
- [Geo] Is there a specific region or market we want to focus on, or should I start with the domestic US market?
- [Device] Should we consider a particular device, like iOS, Android, or desktop?
- [Standalone] Do we want to build a standalone product, or should this feature be integrated into an existing platform/app?
- [Hardware] Are we focusing solely on software solutions, or are hardware solutions also on the table?
- [Limitations] Are there any limitations to consider, such as engineering resources or budget constraints?
- Interviewer: Let’s focus on the US market and mobile devices, and assume software-only solutions. No major resource limitations for now.
- Interviewee: Thanks for the clarification. I’ll take a moment to think through my approach.
…pause…
- Interviewee: Here’s how I would like to approach this problem:
- [Mission] Before designing the feature, I want to understand the mission behind it. Facebook’s mission is to “give people the power to build communities and bring the world closer together.” My proposed feature will align with this mission by fostering deeper connections among users. I would define our mission for this feature as creating a platform for shared experiences that enhance community building.
- [Segments] Next, I’d identify the different user segments on Facebook, such as teenagers, young adults, parents, and older adults. Each segment has unique needs:
- Teenagers: Looking for fun, engaging ways to connect with friends.
- Young Adults: Wanting meaningful interactions and community involvement.
- Parents: Seeking to maintain connections with family and friends.
- Older Adults: Interested in community and staying in touch with family.
- [Pain Points] After evaluating the segments, I would focus on the young adult segment. This segment is crucial because they represent a large portion of Facebook’s active users and are often the trendsetters for new features. However, they have specific needs around deeper, more interactive connections with friends, which existing tools like regular posts and Stories may not fully address. They often seek real-time experiences that go beyond passive interactions like scrolling through a feed. Addressing this gap could significantly increase engagement within this influential user group. Therefore, I’d prioritize this pain point of needing more interactive, real-time experiences for young adults.
- [Prioritization] Now, I want to brainstorm potential solutions and prioritize them using an effort vs. impact matrix. Potential solutions might include:
- A “Shared Moments” feature (high impact, moderate effort).
- Event planning tools (moderate impact, low effort).
- Collaborative photo albums (low impact, low effort).
- I would prioritize “Shared Moments” as it directly addresses the pain point and aligns well with our mission.
- [Solutions] For the “Shared Moments” feature, it would allow users to create temporary collaborative posts during events where friends can contribute photos or comments in real-time. I envision a user interface that is intuitive and encourages participation. [At this point, I would describe wireframes or visual elements to illustrate the concept.]
- [Risks] Finally, I’d like to address potential risks. These might include:
- Moderation Challenges: Ensuring appropriate content is shared.
- User Privacy Concerns: Managing how shared moments are viewed and by whom.
- Technical Feasibility: Ensuring the feature can handle real-time updates without lag.
- By proactively identifying and addressing these risks, we can build a successful feature that enhances user engagement on Facebook.
- Interviewer: That’s a thorough and well-structured approach. Thank you for walking me through it!