Writing a PRD | Building a learn-from scratch coding platform

This is an attempt at writing a Product Requirements document for the leading Indian edtech startup Unacademy. A product requirements document helps you communicate the vision behind the product, the features of the product and the strategy behind the product to relevant stakeholders. Some examples of stakeholders may include - design teams, software engineers, business team, marketing team etc.

Title

Summarising this memo in a single line

Software engineer prep through Unacademy’s own learn-from scratch coding platform

Problem

What is the problem/current situation that we are attempting to solve?

Software engineering roles are on the rise but sources to upskill are not increasing at the same pace. There is a huge untapped potential in helping students prepare for software roles.

1. Lack of structured resources
2. Interactive coding platforms needed for practice and testing
3. Proper guidance + mentoring required. Interaction required
4. Syllabus is not Customized & Structured/Well defined

Customer

Who is asking for this/affected by this? How do we know they want it?

1. Students (Teenagers/College students)- for placements, internships
2. Graduates/Experienced professionals- wanting to start a career in coding
3. Other people (moms/old people)- intending to take it up as a hobby

User Research: User personas and their use cases

Persona 1: Aman (call recording included)

Description

• Studying in Class 11, wants to learn coding

Coding from 0 to 1: Problems faced:

• Complex/confusing UI
• Application based/Outcome based courses not there
• Not very competitive

How I started coding:

• Studying from Book, class lectures
• Tried YouTube- not very effective (higher level than required)
• Resources not filtered

Learning

• Live lectures preferred over recorded- doubts get cleared easily
• Interactive platforms will help
• Assignment in beginning and projects towards the end
• White Jr platform is complex

Thoughts on platform

• Personalization
• Must generate interest & motivation
• Syllabus & level focused- of my level

Persona 2: Ankur

Description

Studying in College, wants to learn coding to get job-ready

Coding from 0 to 1: Problems faced:

• Different from other students who knew coding already- difficult to cope up
• Competitive Coding not there in college courses
• It is difficult to start coding yourself- without a path
• Proper guidance is required for a beginner

How I started coding:

• Peer to peer network
• College Class notes
• Geeks for Geeks

Learning

• Recorded videos not very helpful
• Interactive website interface is effective
• Live classes online sometimes not effective
• Mini-Projects helpful, Assignments can be copied
• Giving them confidence, incentive to complete (gamification may help)

Thoughts on platform

• Free courses not very effective unless you hear about them from peers
• Experienced professionals for guidance sounds very helpful

Persona 3: Akash

Description

Graduate, Experienced professional wanting to start a career in coding

Coding from 0 to 1: Problems faced:

• Some difficult concepts are there
• No mentors/no one to guide-Personalised mentoring required

How I started coding:

• Geeks for Geeks

Learning

• Less time so no pre-recorded/live videos
• Structured syllabus/topics required
• Roadmap required for preparation
• Projects can help, less time for assignments and projects although they can be helpful

Thoughts on platform

• Should be more customized as per needs- I personally have less time

User Journey Map

What does a typical user’s journey look like?

1. Awareness: User hears about the platform from peers/internet.
2. Acquisition: User opens the app/website and select Competitive Programming in the Choose your Goal dropdown menu

3. Users explore the courses, live lectures and resources available and select one to know more about it.

4. Activation/Conversion and Monetization: Reads more about the course and buys subscription if he/she likes it. Points considered by user-

• Topics to be covered
• Schedule
• Cost of subscription
• Instructor Bio

5. Loss of Engagement: While doing the course, the user heads to a 3rd party code editor to practise coding

6. Engagement: Reaches out to mentors and instructors for guidance and doubts

7. Engagement: Finishes assignments and completes the course

8. Retention: User might come back to the platform to buy another course

9. Referral: User might recommend the course to peers

Impact

Why should Unacademy care about this problem statement? Explain how we measured the size+urgency of the problem.

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