Design a product for solo women travelers.

Introduction

Designing a product for solo women travelers is an exciting challenge that addresses a growing market segment with unique needs and concerns. I'll approach this by first clarifying our objectives, then diving into user segments, pain points, and potential solutions. My goal is to create a product that not only meets the practical needs of solo women travelers but also empowers them and enhances their travel experiences.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Based on the problem description, I'm thinking this might be for a specific company's existing product. Is that the case, or are we approaching this as a new startup venture?

Why it matters: This helps frame the solution within existing constraints or as a blank slate. Expected answer: Let's assume it's a new startup venture. Impact on approach: We'll need to consider funding, market entry strategies, and building a user base from scratch.

• Given the focus on solo women travelers, I'm assuming we're looking at a global market. Is that correct, or should we focus on a specific region?

Why it matters: This affects our user segmentation and feature prioritization. Expected answer: Let's start with a focus on North America and Europe, with plans to expand globally. Impact on approach: We'll tailor our initial features and marketing to these regions, considering cultural norms and travel patterns.

• Are there any specific time or resource constraints we should be aware of for this product development?

Why it matters: This helps us prioritize features and set realistic goals. Expected answer: Assume we have 12 months and a seed funding of $2 million. Impact on approach: We'll need to focus on an MVP and core features that can attract early adopters and investors.

Propose the Goal

Given that we're a startup focusing on solo women travelers, I believe our goal should be to create a comprehensive travel companion app that addresses the unique safety, social, and logistical needs of women traveling alone. Does this align with your vision?

Define the Scope

For this product design challenge, should we focus on the core features of safety, community building, and trip planning? This would allow us to create a solid foundation for our MVP.

Based on the answers, I'll assume we're a startup creating a mobile app for solo women travelers, initially focusing on North America and Europe, with a 12-month timeline and $2 million in seed funding.