Short answer no with an if, long answer yes with a but.

When tackling a product design interview, one of the key questions that often comes up is: Should I focus on multiple pain points, or just one?

The traditional advice is to pick one pain point and focus on solving it thoroughly. But this isn’t always the most intuitive approach, especially when you’re faced with a new platform or product, and there are a variety of issues that seem to need attention. Let’s break this down.

Should You Pick Multiple Pain Points?

No, you should just pick one if you are in a position to do that well.

The typical (and recommended!) approach is to pick one pain point, generate three possible solutions, and then pick one of those solutions to move forward with. This approach helps keep your answer structured, clear, and focused. It also allows you to delve deep into your chosen pain point and show off your problem-solving skills.

However, what about when there are multiple pain points that seem fundamental to the success of the product? In these cases, it might feel like you’re leaving important issues unresolved if you only focus on one. For example, if you’re building a new platform from scratch, there may be essential problems you have to address across different areas to even get started.

Handling Multiple Pain Points

Yes, you can pick multiple if it makes sense to but you will have to solve for all of the ones you choose.

If you decide to focus on multiple pain points, here’s the catch: You can’t just throw a separate solution at each issue. If you commit to solving multiple pain points, your solutions need to address them cohesively. Otherwise, you risk diluting your response and failing to demonstrate a deep understanding of any one problem.

A practical way to do this is to choose two related pain points and then come up with solutions that address them together. This approach will give your answer a natural flow, while also showing that you can tackle multiple challenges without losing focus.

Table Stakes: Acknowledge the Obvious

Sometimes, especially when designing a new product, there are what we call table stakes. These are foundational elements that need to be in place for the product to function at all—things like user profiles, settings, or payment options. They’re not the focus of your design, but you can’t ignore them either.

In this case, it’s useful to acknowledge the table stakes right at the beginning of your answer. You can say something like: “There are some foundational issues we need to address, such as ensuring there’s a functional user onboarding process. But for the sake of this interview, I’ll focus on the pain points that are unique to this product’s success.”

This approach lets you signal that you understand the basic requirements, but you’re focusing your answer on what really matters—the specific pain points relevant to the customer group or the situation being discussed.

The Balance Between Urgency and Focus

Sometimes, certain pain points are so urgent that they need to be solved in tandem with others. In these cases, it’s okay to tackle more than one issue, but remember, you need to present a unified solution. For example, if you’re designing a parking feature for Google Maps, you might identify two pain points: parking availability and user safety. Rather than offering a separate solution for each, you could propose a solution that integrates both, like a feature that guides users to the safest available parking spots.

Conclusion: Pick Wisely, Solve Thoroughly

In a product design interview, whether you choose one or multiple pain points, the key is to be strategic. If you pick more than one, make sure your solutions are cohesive and thorough. Acknowledge the table stakes but don’t dwell on them, and always focus on the pain points that are most critical to the product’s success. By doing so, you’ll demonstrate your ability to think critically and design impactful solutions under pressure.