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UserTesting·Product Manager·Onsite - Product Sense / Strategy·Intermediate

Intermediate
May 2026

Summary

Product sense question for a PM role at UserTesting. Pretty open-ended design prompt, nothing tricky about the setup but it has a lot of directions you could take it.

Questions Asked (1)

Q1

Design a web app that lets office workers book time off.

Product Sense & IdeationSystem DesignCross-functional Alignment
Author's notes

I spent way too long on the obvious stuff, listing out features like a calendar view and approval flows, before realizing I wasn't saying anything they hadn't heard before.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by clarifying the problem space and user needs, then outline a high-level solution that addresses key pain points. Structure your answer around user personas, core features, and success metrics, while highlighting cross-functional collaboration and technical feasibility.

Pro tip: Emphasize how you would validate assumptions with user research and iterate based on feedback, showing a customer-centric mindset. Also, discuss potential trade-offs and how you'd prioritize features to deliver MVP quickly.

1. Clarify Requirements and Goals

Ask clarifying questions to understand the scope, such as company size, existing tools, and key stakeholders. Define success metrics like adoption rate, time saved, and user satisfaction.

2. Identify Users and Pain Points

Map out primary users (employees, managers, HR) and their needs. Highlight pain points in current processes, such as lack of transparency, manual approvals, and scheduling conflicts.

3. Propose Core Features and User Flows

Outline essential features: calendar integration, request submission, approval workflows, and balance tracking. Describe key user flows for booking and approving time off.

4. Address Technical and Cross-functional Considerations

Discuss integration with existing systems (HRIS, calendars), data security, and scalability. Mention collaboration with engineering, design, and HR to ensure alignment.

5. Define Metrics and Iteration Plan

Propose metrics to measure success and a plan for MVP launch, user feedback, and iterative improvements. Consider edge cases and future enhancements.

Key Points to Mention

  • Integration with existing calendar and HR systems to reduce manual work
  • Role-based access and approval workflows for managers and HR
  • Mobile accessibility for requests and approvals on the go
  • Transparency of team availability to avoid scheduling conflicts
  • Automated balance tracking and accrual calculations
  • Compliance with company policies and labor laws

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.