Logo
All Questions

Imagine you are a PM at Meta. Design a product for making restaurant reservations.

Difficultyproduct designAsked at Meta (Facebook)

Question Explain

This question is asking you to imagine yourself in the role of a Product Manager at Meta (formerly known as Facebook) and design a product focused on restaurant reservations. Essentially, it tests your product design, problem-solving, and creativity skills. The response should showcase your ability to understand user requirements, generate clear specifications, and articulate an effective design process.

To effectively answer this question, follow these points:

  1. Understand the User: Explain who your users are and what their needs might be when it comes to restaurant reservations.
  2. Define the Problem: Clearly outline the problems or pain points users face while making reservations.
  3. Propose Solution Features: Based on the problems identified, propose solution features that address these user problems.
  4. Prioritize Features: Prioritize the features based on user needs, business goals and technical feasibility.
  5. Mention the Product Design Process: Discuss how you would validate and iterate.
  6. Consider Monetization: If possible, propose ways for Meta to generate revenue from this product.

Answer Example 1

As a PM at Meta, I imagine my users to be generally active on social media, ranging from millennials to middle-aged adults who love dining out in restaurants occasionally or frequently. I envision three major pain points: difficulty in finding a suitable restaurant based on different criteria (like location, cuisine, price), hassles while making a reservation, and the unknown quality of food or experience at a new place.

To solve these problems, I propose an integrated restaurant reservation product built into the existing Meta platform. Key features would include:

  1. Advanced Search and Filter: Users can search for restaurants based on different criteria like cuisine, location, budget, ratings, or any ongoing deals.
  2. Simplified Reservation Process: Allow for real-time table booking with instant confirmation within the social media platform itself.
  3. User Reviews and Ratings: In-app reviews and ratings from friends and family, including an option to see personalized restaurant recommendations based on friends' data.
  4. In-app Navigation: Seamless navigation to the chosen restaurant using built-in map directions.

I would prioritize the features based on user needs and their impact on the user experience. For monetization, Meta may charge restaurants for listing, priority positioning, or for each successful reservation made through the platform. The product should be iterative, with continuous feedback loops to enable modifications and improvements over time.

Answer Example 2

Assuming the role of a PM at Meta, I believe that our users are social media savvy individuals who are enthusiastic about discovering new dining experiences but often find the information scattered and the reservation process inconvenient.

I propose a product named "MetaDine". The problems it addresses include the difficulty to find a suitable and highly-rated dining place, and the cumbersome reservation process, especially for popular restaurants.

Key features of MetaDine:

  1. Discovery and Personalized Recommendations: Using AI algorithms to provide restaurant recommendations based on users' preferences, social media activity, friends’ recommendations, and trending restaurants.
  2. Reservation System with Reminders: One-click reservation system that syncs with the user's calendar and sends reminders before the reservation.
  3. Social Integration: Allowing users to invite friends to dine, and see where their friends have been dining.
  4. Rewards System: Collaborate with restaurants to offer unique deals and rewards for using MetaDine for reservations.

To prioritize features, I'd consider factors such as user demand, technological feasibility, and potential returns. MetaDine could generate revenue through partnerships with restaurants, special promotions, and premium features. I would advocate for adopting Agile methodologies to allow for regular user feedback and upgrading of the product.

More Questions

Question Quick Reference by Category: