← Google Interview Insights

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

Senior
Jun 2026

Summary

Interviewed for a PM role at Google and got hit with the classic MVP scoping question. Nothing too wild but it made me think harder than I expected.

Questions Asked (1)

Q1

How would you decide which features belong in an MVP?

Product StrategyRoadmap PrioritizationProduct Sense & Ideation
Author's notes

I went straight to user value vs.

Create a free account to read the full note

AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by clarifying the product vision and target user problem, then define the smallest set of features that deliver a testable solution to that problem. Prioritize features based on impact, effort, and risk, and validate with data or user feedback before building.

Pro tip: Frame your answer around learning goals—an MVP is an experiment to validate assumptions, not a mini version of the final product. Emphasize that you'd define success metrics upfront and be willing to pivot based on results.

1. Define the Core Problem and Hypothesis

Clearly articulate the user problem you're solving and the key assumption you want to test. This ensures the MVP is focused on learning, not just shipping features.

2. Identify Must-Have Features

List all potential features, then ruthlessly cut to only those that directly enable the core user journey and test your hypothesis. If a feature doesn't contribute to learning, it's out.

3. Prioritize Using a Framework

Apply a prioritization framework like RICE (Reach, Impact, Confidence, Effort) or MoSCoW (Must-have, Should-have, Could-have, Won't-have) to rank features by value versus cost.

4. Validate with Stakeholders and Users

Socialize the proposed MVP with cross-functional teams and target users to gather feedback and ensure alignment. Adjust based on insights to avoid building the wrong thing.

5. Define Success Metrics and Iterate

Set clear, measurable goals for the MVP (e.g., activation rate, retention) and plan to iterate based on data. This turns the MVP into a continuous learning loop.

Key Points to Mention

  • Focus on solving one core problem for a specific user segment
  • Use a prioritization framework like RICE or MoSCoW to make objective decisions
  • Consider technical feasibility and dependencies that could delay learning
  • Define clear success metrics and a timeline for evaluation
  • Be willing to cut features that don't directly contribute to the core hypothesis
  • Emphasize cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder alignment

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