You're a PM in charge of Robinhood's Option trading feature, how would you improve it?

Introduction

As the PM in charge of Robinhood's Options trading feature, I'm tasked with improving this critical component of our platform. Options trading is a complex yet potentially lucrative area for our users, and enhancing this feature could significantly impact user engagement, retention, and revenue. I'll approach this challenge by first clarifying our current position, then analyzing our user segments and their pain points, before proposing and evaluating solutions.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions

• Looking at Robinhood's position in the market, I'm thinking about our competitive advantage. Could you share insights on how our Options trading feature currently compares to competitors like E*TRADE or TD Ameritrade?

Why it matters: Determines if we focus on catching up or innovating beyond competitors Expected answer: We're competitive on fees but lag in advanced features Impact on approach: Would prioritize feature parity before unique innovations

• Considering the complexity of Options trading, I'm curious about our user demographics. Can you provide information on the breakdown of our Options traders by experience level?

Why it matters: Influences whether we prioritize education or advanced tools Expected answer: Mix of 60% beginners, 30% intermediate, 10% advanced Impact on approach: Would focus on improving onboarding and education

• Given the potential risks in Options trading, I'm interested in our current risk management approach. What safeguards do we have in place to protect users from significant losses?

Why it matters: Determines if we need to strengthen risk controls or focus elsewhere Expected answer: Basic controls in place, but room for improvement Impact on approach: Would consider enhancing risk management features

• Thinking about Robinhood's broader strategy, how does improving the Options trading feature align with our overall company goals?

Why it matters: Ensures our improvements support larger company objectives Expected answer: Key focus area for increasing revenue and user engagement Impact on approach: Would prioritize solutions that drive both metrics