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Google·Software Engineer·Take-home Assignment·Intermediate

Intermediate
May 2026

Summary

Got a product thinking exercise for a Google bizops role, framed around Udemy's course platform. One question, but it had enough moving parts to keep me busy for a while.

Questions Asked (1)

Q1

You're on the Udemy product team. Write 2 to 3 agile user stories for a feature that lets learners submit and watch short videos (under 2 minutes) within courses.

Agile / Sprint ManagementProduct Sense & Ideation
Author's notes

I spent way too long debating whether to write 2 or 3 stories.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by clarifying the feature's scope and user personas (learners and instructors), then write user stories that follow the INVEST criteria, focusing on the core actions: submitting and watching short videos. Prioritize stories to deliver incremental value, and include acceptance criteria to make them testable.

Pro tip: Frame stories around user outcomes and business value, not just technical tasks, and explicitly mention how you'd handle edge cases like video moderation or offline viewing to show product thinking.

1. Clarify Requirements and Personas

Ask clarifying questions about who can submit videos (learners only or instructors too), where videos appear, and any constraints (e.g., moderation, storage). Identify primary personas: learners who watch and learners who submit.

2. Define Core User Stories

Write 2-3 user stories covering the main actions: submitting a short video, watching a video, and possibly moderating or managing videos. Use the format: 'As a [persona], I want [action] so that [benefit].'

3. Add Acceptance Criteria

For each story, list specific, testable acceptance criteria (e.g., video length ≤ 2 minutes, supported formats, upload progress, playback controls). This ensures the stories are ready for sprint planning.

4. Prioritize and Slice

Order the stories by value and feasibility, and consider slicing them into smaller increments (e.g., basic upload first, then playback, then moderation). Explain your prioritization rationale.

5. Review Against INVEST

Briefly check that each story is Independent, Negotiable, Valuable, Estimable, Small, and Testable. Adjust if needed to ensure they fit within a sprint.

Key Points to Mention

  • User story format: As a [role], I want [feature] so that [benefit].
  • Acceptance criteria for video length (<2 min), format, and upload/playback behavior.
  • Prioritization based on user value and technical complexity (e.g., MVP vs. enhancements).
  • Edge cases: video moderation, privacy, offline access, and error handling.
  • INVEST criteria for well-formed agile stories.
  • Collaboration with designers, backend, and QA to refine stories.

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