You are the product manager for Facebook Events. Set the success criteria. How would you assess what's better between 10 events that have 100 attendees each, or 1 event that has 1,000 attendees?

Introduction

Setting success criteria for Facebook Events requires a nuanced approach that considers multiple stakeholders and metrics. To address this product success metrics challenge, I'll follow a structured framework covering core metrics, supporting indicators, and risk factors while considering all key stakeholders. This approach will help us evaluate the relative success of 10 events with 100 attendees each versus 1 event with 1,000 attendees.

Step 1

Product Context

Facebook Events is a feature within the Facebook platform that allows users to create, discover, and attend events. It serves as a digital hub for organizing gatherings, from small private parties to large public conferences.

Key stakeholders include:

1. Event organizers: Seeking to maximize attendance and engagement
2. Event attendees: Looking for relevant and interesting events to join
3. Facebook: Aiming to increase user engagement and platform stickiness
4. Advertisers: Interested in targeting event-goers with relevant ads

User flow:

1. Creation: Organizers set up event details, including date, time, location, and description
2. Discovery: Users browse or search for events based on interests, location, and social connections
3. Engagement: Users interact with events by expressing interest, RSVPing, or sharing with friends
4. Attendance: Users attend events and potentially share their experiences on the platform

Facebook Events fits into the company's broader strategy of fostering connections and community engagement. It complements other features like Groups and Marketplace, creating a comprehensive social ecosystem.

Competitors like Eventbrite and Meetup offer similar functionality, but Facebook's advantage lies in its massive user base and integration with existing social networks.

Product Lifecycle Stage: Facebook Events is in the maturity stage, with a well-established user base and feature set. The focus is on optimization and innovation to maintain relevance and drive growth.