My first instinct was to just list things off the top of my head, which is probably the wrong move.
Start by framing the problem from the passenger's perspective, then segment the journey into distinct phases (pre-trip, in-transit, post-trip) to systematically identify pain points. Prioritize the top three based on frequency, severity, and impact on the overall experience, and briefly suggest how each could be addressed or measured.
Pro tip: Show empathy by grounding pain points in real user scenarios, and tie them to business metrics like retention or NPS to demonstrate product sense. Avoid generic answers; instead, reference specific examples like overcrowding during peak hours or lack of real-time updates.
Break down the commuting experience into key stages: planning, boarding, in-transit, and arrival. This ensures comprehensive coverage of potential pain points.
For each stage, brainstorm common frustrations such as unpredictable delays, overcrowding, lack of amenities, or poor information. Use empathy and, if possible, reference data or anecdotes.
Evaluate each pain point based on frequency (how often it occurs), severity (how much it affects the passenger), and breadth (how many passengers are impacted). Select the top three that are most critical.
For each top pain point, briefly suggest potential product solutions or metrics to track, showing how a PM would address them. This demonstrates product sense and analytical thinking.
AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.