Should we build social features?
Last updated: January 17, 2026
Quick Overview
Your team is considering building push notifications. How would you evaluate this decision?
Microsoft
January 17, 202610
14
4,106 solved
Your team is considering building push notifications. How would you evaluate this decision?
This product question from Microsoft's Onsite goes beyond feature brainstorming. The interviewer expects a framework-driven approach that considers market dynamics, user segmentation, and data-informed decision making.
What the Interviewer Expects
- Apply a structured framework for product thinking (user, problem, solution, metrics)
- Segment users and identify differentiated needs
- Prioritize features using a clear framework (RICE, ICE, impact vs effort)
- Define comprehensive success metrics across the user funnel
- Consider competitive dynamics and market positioning
Key Topics to Cover
How to Approach This
- Start with the user. Who are they, what problem do they have, and what is their current workaround?
- Use a prioritization framework: impact vs effort, RICE scoring, or ICE scoring.
- Define success metrics using the AARRR framework: Acquisition, Activation, Retention, Revenue, Referral.
- Consider second-order effects. A feature might boost short-term engagement but hurt long-term retention.
Possible Follow-up Questions
- How would you decide to kill this feature if it's not working?
- What would you do if usage data contradicts user feedback?
- How would you handle pushback from engineering on feasibility?
- How would you sequence the rollout across different user segments?
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Problem Framing
To evaluate the decision of building social features, specifically push notifications, we first need to frame the problem by identifying the primary goals of Microsoft’s product in this context. Are w...
User & Market Context
Our primary users are professionals and teams utilizing Microsoft’s collaboration tools, such as Teams and Outlook. These users value effective communication, quick access to important updates, and se...
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