Reflection on working on Green Plate project by aribarb

I learned so much working on the Green Plate project. It was my first time doing any type of Product Management work, so I had the opportunity to learn many new concepts like market analysis and marketing strategies. I was tasked with conducting user interviews, which was very rewarding as I was able to apply concepts that I learned in previous classes such as CS147. Particularly, conducting the interviews gave me firsthand insight into how people make everyday food decisions and how complex those trade-offs really are. I spoke with participants from different backgrounds about their cooking habits, shopping routines, and attitudes toward frozen meals. Some emphasized convenience and price, while others prioritized taste, freshness, or dietary preferences like veganism or low-carb eating. Asking follow-up questions and hearing their reasoning helped me realize how emotional food choices can be; guilt, pride, or nostalgia factors into whether someone microwaves dinner or cooks from scratch. I especially remember tailoring my questions for Mariale, a busy mom balancing work and family, whose answers illustrated the tension between wanting healthy, home-cooked meals and needing something quick and affordable. Overall, the interviews taught me how to listen without leading, recognize patterns in personal stories, and use those insights to shape more empathetic design decisions. I am very content with the outcome of this project and am excited about the new skills that I have gained and will take with me to future projects!