You're a PM at Meta and are tasked with making a tool to connect handymen with consumers. How would you design this product?

Introduction

As a PM at Meta tasked with designing a tool to connect handymen with consumers, I'll approach this product design challenge systematically. I'll start by clarifying the problem space, analyze the market opportunity, identify key user segments and pain points, propose solutions, and define success metrics. Let's dive in.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Based on the problem description, I'm thinking this might be a new product initiative for Meta, rather than an enhancement to an existing product. Is that correct?

Why it matters: Helps frame the solution within Meta's ecosystem and resources Expected answer: Yes, it's a new product initiative Impact on approach: Would focus on leveraging Meta's strengths in social connectivity and user data

• Given Meta's focus on connecting people, I assume the goal is to create a platform that facilitates easy, trust-based connections between handymen and consumers. Does this align with your vision?

Why it matters: Ensures the solution aligns with Meta's core mission Expected answer: Yes, with an emphasis on trust and ease of use Impact on approach: Would prioritize features that build trust and simplify connections

• Are we working with any specific time or resource constraints for this project?

Why it matters: Helps prioritize features and set realistic goals Expected answer: 6-month timeline with a dedicated team Impact on approach: Would focus on an MVP with core features, planning for future iterations

• Do we have any existing user research or data insights about the handyman services market that we can leverage?

Why it matters: Informs our understanding of user needs and market dynamics Expected answer: Limited data available, mostly from general market research Impact on approach: Would propose conducting primary user research as part of the design process

Propose the Goal

Given Meta's focus on connecting people and building communities, I believe the goal is to create a trusted, easy-to-use platform that seamlessly connects skilled handymen with consumers needing their services, while leveraging Meta's strengths in social networking and user data. Does this align with your vision?

Define the Scope

For this product design challenge, should we focus on developing the core matching and booking functionality, or should we also consider additional features like reviews, payments, or service guarantees?

Based on the answers, I'll assume we're focusing on developing the core functionality for an MVP, with a 6-month timeline and the ability to leverage Meta's existing user base and technology stack.