Product Management Chronicles: Collaborating to Design a Mobile Food Delivery App

Congratulations! We made it to our first-ever boot camp! Can I get a round of applause for us girls?! Oh my Gosh, we have a man amongst us. I almost forgot that. Jeez! Let's go again. Can I get a round of applause for us girls and the only man on our team?!!

The first day of the boot camp felt like a therapy session. We had to break the ice (some people call it bonding) as a team. 'Teamwork makes the dream work.' We shared our strengths and weaknesses and, how we all need to make even the tiniest contribution to top every task. Did I mention that we plan on being the best team in this boot camp? Did you just say 'Dream on?' E go shock you!

First, we had to decide on the name of the app. We wanted something unique and synonymous with what our 'brand' stands for. We held meetings with our assigned "Product Design" team. After much deliberation, we opted for 'Qwik Eat.' A name that automatically explains itself. Love it! It's time to get to work.

The Product Design team promised to revert to us the PMs, unfailingly the next day, with a result of their case study, design process, technical features and all the good stuff needed for our Product Requirement Document. Here comes the calm before the storm...

Our excitement quickly turned into frustration when we realized that communication was going to be a challenge for our Product Design counterparts. We literally would have to blow powder in the air to summon their presence. We kid you not!

Despite the difficult situation, we were determined to make it work. We focused on building relationships with the Product Design team and finding common ground on which to collaborate. We dove into the curriculum of the week, assigned sub-task amongst us, and all hands were right on deck!

As the week progressed, we encountered several challenges with the Product Design team, including incomplete designs, and a general lack of communication. However, we remained persistent and continued to communicate openly and honestly with the design team.

Using the insights gained from the internship at SideHustle, and the daily stand-ups held, we were able to develop a comprehensive Product Requirement Document aimed at satisfying our customers' needs and business needs.

Reflecting on our week one experience, we would call it a bitter-sweet one. The irony of the event was it taught us PMs the importance of taking ownership, collaboration, and communication. The experience also served as a reminder that difficult situations can often provide valuable learning opportunities and that with persistence and determination, even the most challenging projects can be completed.

To the best team Chiamaka Omosoria odigo vincent Moyosoreoluwa Ajayi Glory Musa Vaikosen Oghenekevwe Ifeoma Akachukwu Sharon Onwuemenyi Cheers!