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

Intermediate
Jun 2026

Summary

Google PM interview with a pretty out-there product design question. Felt like they wanted to see how you handle a weird constraint rather than whether your answer was 'right'.

Questions Asked (1)

Q1

Design a product that helps flightless birds navigate a large city.

Product Sense & IdeationAdaptability & Ambiguity
Author's notes

I stared at this for a second and genuinely wasn't sure if it was a joke.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by clarifying the goal and constraints: which flightless birds, what city, and what 'navigate' means (e.g., find food, avoid predators, reach destinations). Then segment users and prioritize a specific need, and brainstorm solutions that leverage Google's strengths in mapping, AI, and accessibility. Finally, define success metrics and discuss trade-offs.

Pro tip: Anchor your solution in a real user need and show how it aligns with Google's mission to organize information and make it universally accessible—this demonstrates product sense and company fit.

1. Clarify the problem

Ask questions to define the user (e.g., ostriches, penguins, emus), the city environment, and what 'navigate' entails (e.g., wayfinding, safety, resource discovery). Establish constraints like budget, timeline, and technical feasibility.

2. Segment users and prioritize

Identify distinct segments of flightless birds (e.g., by size, speed, habitat) and their unique navigation challenges. Choose one high-impact segment to focus on for the initial product.

3. Brainstorm solutions

Generate a range of ideas, from low-tech (e.g., trained human guides) to high-tech (e.g., wearable GPS with haptic feedback, AR overlays). Consider leveraging Google's assets like Maps, AI, and Android.

4. Define MVP and success metrics

Select a minimal viable product that addresses the core need, and define metrics such as navigation time reduction, safety incidents, or user satisfaction. Outline how to test and iterate.

5. Discuss trade-offs and risks

Acknowledge potential challenges like battery life, animal welfare, scalability, and ethical considerations. Explain how you would mitigate them.

Key Points to Mention

  • User-centric approach: focus on the specific needs of flightless birds (e.g., limited mobility, predator avoidance).
  • Leverage Google's strengths: Maps, AI, machine learning, and accessibility features.
  • Consider both hardware and software solutions, and integration with existing Google products.
  • Define clear success metrics (e.g., reduced navigation time, increased safety).
  • Address ethical and practical constraints (e.g., animal testing, battery life, urban regulations).
  • Show adaptability by acknowledging ambiguity and proposing iterative testing.

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