I would like to answer this problem by asking few clarifying questions

Clarifying Scope:

What is my role in building this product, Am I OEM, PM start up or PM for one of the tech companies	Let’s assume that you are a PM start up
Are there any budget constraints	No
Are there any market constraints or can I assume to launch the product in US	Yes
Is there any other specification or restriction that I should know of? For example, can I use this small device and make it a sub product into another big product	Yes

Here is how I would like to approach this problem, firstly,  I would like to understand who my users are, their needs.

Secondly, I would like to define my goal for the product

Thirdly, list few solutions with impact, effort and trade – off’s and pick one recommended solutions and end with success metrics that help me understand if the product is meeting the intended use.

Users

Parents who would like to monitor their kids & pets	P1
Shipping & delivery companies who would like to enable a live tracking of their products for manufacturers and customers	P2
People suffering with Alzheimer’s	P1

Goal: Build a product that helps caretakers, guardians and parents monitor the safety of their loved ones and alert them in times of need to ensure right action is taken without any delay.

Needs:

 

Need	Priority
Ability to be able to view the location of the loved ones	P1
Ability for the caretaker to be able to register the common places their loved ones go to on a regular basis	P1
Alert the user when their loved ones are going on a different route >= 0.5 miles (this is configurable)	P1
Call for help when the caretaker identifies a danger	P2

 

Solution

Solution	Impact	Effort	Trade- Off’s
The small device is intact and lets the caretakers track their loved ones whenever they want	Low	Low	The need for the caretaker to turn on to the service to monitor their loved ones. Since its small the user might easily loose it No alerting available when the user is moving out of site.
A smart watch with intelligent notifications and camera. The user should ideally be seeing the last location and time. Capability to turn on live to get the live location Alert the user when their loved one move away > 0.5 miles than the intended location /direction	High	Medium	Assuming the smart watch is operating on battery, there is a battery life associated, need to charge Could lead to false alarms if the loved one is going as per the plan and the caretaker forgets to configure that as a one-time activity, could lead to anxiety and disengagement
A drone that hangs around with the user	High	High	Expensive to build Might not be perceived positive if the device is around the pets as they might try to get away from it

I would like to recommend a smart watch that is activated with camera which has the capability to go live and capture the location pictures in times of alert to fend off false alarms and to let the care takers take appropriate action without any delay.

Success Metrics

1. No. of devices purchased
2. No. of alerts generated and marked true / no. of alerts generated
3. No. of alerts generated and marked false / no. of alerts generated

The false alarms generated in this case would be super helpful as a counter metric that could lead to disengagement if the device continues to generate them so as a PM, I would like to monitor the false rate.

Approach

1: Clarification questions and assumptions

2: Identify user segments -> Identify users in each sgements and their needs

3: Understand what is the business goal

4: Based on the goal, I will narrow the user segment and identify 1-2 users/personas

5: For each persona from above step for their needs, list some ideas

6: For each idea, identify features (which are 10X or change the paradigm)

7: Identify risks and mitigation

8: Identify success measure for these feature

9: Prioritize these features based on customer value, business value and cost it take to build this feature

10: Mock up on paper the show in camera

1: Clarification questions

What does the tech do exactly? -> just a location pointer

What form factor is it available? -> a wearable (FUQ: can it be used in mobile) -> no not yet

What sets is apart? -> its ability to identify within a foot of accuracy

Can it be replicated? -> possibly but we have a patent

Are we using it somewhere in our internal/external product portfolio? -> no

Are there any regulation we need to be aware of or any government approvals we need? ->no we dont

What is the cost to bulid this tech (fc and vc)? -> not needed

2. User segments

CONSUMERS

a. Kids (elementary, middle, high school) -> know the location of the kids for safety by the parents and school staff (say during field trips)

b. Adults (working, parents) -> know where there kids are, show my location when i am out hiking or skiing

c. Elderly (working, at home, at a nursing facility) -> show my location to my close kith and kin and also care givers

BUSINESSES

a. physical stores (consumer products, financial products, healthcare products, legal products) -> help customers with shopping say gorcery aisles or store aisles

b. online stores – NOT CONSIDERING

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUIONS

a. schools, universities – NOT CONSIDERING

GOVERNMENT

a. public office – NOT CONSIDERING

b. military – show my location in an military operation

c. law enforcement – show the location of the accussed folk jail, or out on bail

3. Understand what is the business goal

REVENUE

(not considering this because we have not yet decided which customer segment we want to sell)

NEW CUSTOMERS

Acquire new customers

EXISTING CUSTOMERS

(does not exist here as we dont have a product yet)

Goal is to acquire new customers

4. Based on the goal, I will narrow the user segment and identify 1-2 users/personas

Based on ‘acquire new customers’, i want to focus on parents, law enforcement.

5: For each persona from above step for their needs, list some ideas

Parents needs are –

i need to know where my kids are -> kids location is presented to the parents on the app

i need an alert when my kids are in a location where they are not supposed to be -> set a boundary by time and when kids are out of that boundary then a alert is sent to the parent

i need my kids to tell me about their position when they need help -> either kids can push their location to their parents or automatic location is sent out based on some changes in parameters such has increased heart rate, increase blood pressure  or panic attack or a fall

Law enforcement –

i need to know where the folks out on bail are -> location is presented to the parents on the app and cannot be removed

alert when they break out of the boundary -> set a boundary by time and when kids are out of that boundary then a alert is sent to the parent

6: For each idea, identify features (which are 10X or change the paradigm)

Idea 1: Location presented on an app

F1: Device is linked to an app on the parents phone or law enforcement phone or their patrol car -> ok feature

F2: Device recharges on day light -> of feature

Idea 2: Set a boundary by time and when kids are out of that boundary then a alert is sent

F1: Identify a boundary on the app and link that to a device. This can be manual or suggested based on some inputs (like school name and boundary are common school areas during school time, commute area based on the home to school route and also suggest based on the bailee’s regular day such as home, gym, work, library etc) -> 10X feature

F2: Sent an alert (silent or loud) to the parent or cop (send this to the nearest patrol car too) -> ok feature

Idea 3: Push location to care giver

F1: Kids can press a button or speak into a device to push location -> ok feature

F2: Push location based on biometric changes of the kids (such as increased heart rate + fall + O2 supply) -> 10X feature

7: Identify risks and mitigation

Risk 1: Can be removed by the user -> Need to build it such that there is no easy way to open the strap (for young kids and for bailee’s e.g. using a code to open the device)

Risk 2: Boundary’s can change (e.g. if the kid is taking a new route back home or going to a friends home before coming back home) -> Need to be able to communicate with the kid immediately to help identify the false positive or kids can shut the alarm to remove the flase positive

Risk 3: Bio metric scans can be off -> start off with some basic scans such as a combination of heart rate+fall detection

8: Identify success measure for these feature

1. Active users (device and app)

2. Alerts/alarms

– Number sent (manual and automated)

– False positives

3. Boundaries set per user

9: Prioritize these features based on customer value, business value and cost it take to build this feature

(customer value aka cv + business value aka bv – cost) (h = 5, m = 3, l = 1)

F1: Device is linked to an app on the parents phone or law enforcement phone or their patrol car -> cv = h = 5 + bv = h = 5 + cost = low = 1 = 5+5-1 = 9

F2: Device recharges on day light -> cv = h = 5 + bv = h = 5 + cost = low = 1 = 5+5-1 = 9

F1: Identify a boundary on the app and link that to a device. This can be manual or suggested based on some inputs (like school name and boundary are common school areas during school time, commute area based on the home to school route and also suggest based on the bailee’s regular day such as home, gym, work, library etc) -> cv = 5 + bv = 5 + cost = 1 = 5+5-1 = 9

F2: Sent an alert (silent or loud) to the parent or cop (send this to the nearest patrol car too) -> cv = 5 + bv = 5 + cost = 1 = 5+5-1 = 9

F1: Kids can press a button or speak into a device to push location -> cv = 5 + bv = 5 + cost = 1 = 5+5-1 = 9

F2: Push location based on biometric changes of the kids (such as increased heart rate + fall + O2 supply) -> cv = 5 + bv = 5 + cost = 5 = 5+5-5 = 5

1.  Initially, I will have a few questions related to this device before deciding on the applications. All these questions may not be relevant to the solution provided but still I believe it is better to narrow down the scope as much as possible. These questions may also help to reduce the ambiguities:
   1. How big will this device be and how is it attached?
      1. I am assuming that this device will be attached to the person whose exact location needs to be identified
   2. What will be the source of energy for such device?
      1. Let me consider that this device operates on a battery and then I need to know the battery life for this device?
   3. Is this device functional under water, fire, or only on land?
      1. Let me consider that this device operates under water as well as on land
         1. If the device operates under water then till what depth? May be so much of details are not required as of now
   4. Are there any weather restrictions on the device?
   5. Affordability of the device, can it be used for masses?
      1. I will assume that it is pretty affordable and can be used for masses as well
   6. Within what circumference will the device be able to help us to pinpoint the locations. Will this technology be superimposed on the current web mapping service already available with Google Maps, in order to increase the accuracy?

 

2. I would like to design applications that would primarily help in emergency situations like ambulance booking when higher the accuracy the better it will be, or an advanced Flight Recorder or for SOS Alerts (mountaineers, rock climbers, parachute ppl etc…) and for locating lost people and connecting family members in heavy public gatherings (like Kumbh Mela)
   1. I would like to pick the use case: Locating Lost people and connecting family members in heavy public gatherings like Kumbh Melas
   2. User Personas (Based on the different user needs)
      1. Group1 (Dependents): Kids who are participating in such gatherings/ People (not much educated) participating in such gatherings
         1. Needs
            1. They may not be able to provide any information about their guardians/family members/ care takers
            2. They need to be reunited
               1. Search for them may already been started
               2. Search not yet started
            3. They just need to have the device such that pin point locations can be delivered to their family members. No specific application required for such group
      2. Group2 (Independent): Everyone else participating in such gatherings
         1. Needs
            1. Who can provide sufficient amount of information about their guardians/family members/care takers
            2. Either they are searching for lost dependent family members, lost independent family members, or they themselves are being searched for
            3. Such group may also be having the device that pin points their location
               1. Such group need a way to locate the lost member who falls within Group 1
               2. Such group needs a way to locate the lost member who falls with Group 2
               3. Lost member from such group (Group 2) needs connect and re-unite  with his family members

 

3. Group3: Organizers of such gatherings
   1. Needs
      1. They need to be able to connect the lost people with their family members
4. Group4: The group where all are dependent/ not much educated enough
   1. Needs
      1. They need other people (basically members from Group 4 need to intervene) to help them to unite

 

3. If I have to prioritize the creation of an application (some kind of application with a digital display and some UI features), I will pick Group 2.  Group 3 will always be there to complement.

 

4. Solutions
   1. Solution from Group 2 (and corresponding solutions for Group 3)
      1. Group 2 may need an application where they can track the live location of their family members who belongs to Group 1, that will be helpful in case Group 1 members are lost
         1. The application shall also help them to connect them to some member from Group 4 who can in turn help them in the search as they may be better well versed with the area
         2. The application shall also help them connect to their family members under Group 2. They would probably need to have a way such that the separated/lost member who falls under Group 2 should be able to communicate to other members of the same group falling under Group 2 and vice versa, who needs to wait for whom at a specific point instead of both the parties looking and moving relentlessly in search for each other
      2. The application shall be able to provide some kind of other information/description about the live location, may be some landmark
         1. This information will further help the members from Group 4 to help members for Group 3 in their search as they are supposed to be more well versed with the area/location

3. Summary:
   1. The application to provide the solution primarily focuses on the Group 2 (the members of the family who are not independent, but their family members consist of independent people)
   2. The application may be a digital application with some basic UI features where the independent members can track the live location of the lost dependent members and reach till them
   3. They can also take the help from the organizers in the process. The application may provide them with some meta data as well related to the live location which can be further utilized to locate the lost dependent members
      1. This will also reduce the direct workload on the organizers of the event and may also help to reduce the delays in case if one is completely dependent on the organizers