Should Uber work on a shuttle service that runs between SF and South Bay?

Certainly, I'll provide a detailed, strategic answer to the question about Uber potentially working on a shuttle service between San Francisco and South Bay. I'll approach this from the perspective of a seasoned VP of Product, addressing the interviewer directly.

Introduction

The strategic problem at hand is whether Uber should develop a shuttle service connecting San Francisco and South Bay. This decision ties into key business objectives such as market expansion, diversification of service offerings, and potentially tapping into a new customer segment.

To address this question, I'll walk you through my strategic approach, which includes:

1. Clarifying our strategic goals
2. Analyzing the market and competitive landscape
3. Defining our product vision and roadmap
4. Prioritizing strategic initiatives
5. Outlining an execution plan
6. Establishing metrics and KPIs
7. Managing risks and planning contingencies

Let's begin by aligning on our strategic goals.

Step 1

Clarify the Strategic Goals (3-4 minutes)

• Based on Uber's current market position, I'm sensing this shuttle service could be an expansion of our core offering. Could you help me understand how this aligns with our company's current strategic priorities?

Why it matters: Determines if we're looking at this as a core business expansion or an experimental offering. Expected answer: It's a potential expansion to diversify our transportation options. Impact on approach: Would focus on leveraging existing infrastructure while carefully managing resource allocation.

• Considering the potential market, I'm curious about our target customer segments for this service. Are we primarily focusing on daily commuters, occasional travelers, or a mix of both?

Why it matters: Shapes our value proposition and service design. Expected answer: Primarily targeting daily commuters with some consideration for occasional travelers. Impact on approach: Would prioritize features like reliable schedules and subscription models for frequent users.

• Looking at our current resource allocation, I'm wondering about our capacity to take on this new initiative. Can you give me an idea of the resources available for this project in terms of budget, team size, and timeline?

Why it matters: Helps determine the scale and pace of our approach. Expected answer: Moderate resources available, with a timeline of 12-18 months for initial launch. Impact on approach: Would focus on an MVP approach with phased rollout to manage resources effectively.

Based on these insights, let's assume we're looking at a strategic expansion targeting primarily daily commuters, with moderate resources available for a 12-18 month initial launch timeline. These assumptions will guide our strategy moving forward.