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Aperture photo sharing app
Project type
CareerFoundry project
Location
Frankfurt, Germany
Role
Product Manager
Date
11.2024 - 02.2025
This project was completed as part of my Product Management program at CareerFoundry to demonstrate my ability to apply product management methodologies to solve real-world user challenges.
Credits
Tutor: Linda Walczak
Mentor: Anton Doberschuetz
Problem: Declining engagement among younger users on Aperture.
Key Insight: Younger users prefer highly interactive, community-driven experiences rather than passive photo sharing.
Solution: Develop and introduce a new feature that enhances users engagement and retention.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Aperture is a fictional photo-sharing app that allows users to:
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Capture and edit photos & videos in-app
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Browse and search the photo feed
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Add effects and filters
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Interact with others via comments
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Stay connected through private messaging
TOOLS
Miro / Figma / Survey monkey / Google sheets, slides, docs
PROJECT GOAL
Increase engagement among younger users by introducing new, interactive features that align with their preferences and behaviors.
DURATION
3 months
Assignment start: mid November 2024
Assignment end: mid February 2025
The assignment was accomplished on time, without any delays
APPROACH & METHODOLOGY
I followed a hypothesis-driven product management approach, structured into three main phases

SOLUTION DISCOVERY PHASE
(Research & Insights)
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Identified user needs and engagement barriers
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Conducted research and data analysis to validate assumptions
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Prioritized insights to guide feature development

SOLUTION DEFINITION PHASE
(Feature Development & Testing)
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Created a prototype and tested different feature ideas
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Conducted usability testing and A/B testing to refine the solution
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Defined an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) for development

LAUNCH PHASE
(Implementation & Evaluation)
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Created a structured launch plan and aligned with stakeholders
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Defined product success metrics using the HEART framework
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Monitored post-launch engagement and iterated based on feedback


SOLUTION DISCOVERY PHASE: RESEARCH & INSIGHTS
Research Approach
To make informed product decisions, I developed a structured research plan based on two key assumptions selected from a Value-Damage Quadrant.
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Research Plan included:
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Research Statement: Defining the core issue
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Research Questions: Identifying key unknowns
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Results Criteria: Establishing success benchmarks
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Research Methods: Selecting user interviews, surveys, and competitive analysis
​Data Analysis Techniques
To synthesize research findings, I applied two structured analysis methods:
Tag & Color Coding:
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Assigned different colors to highlight common user pain points and patterns.
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Helped in grouping related insights for better decision-making.
Codification (Sentiment Analysis):
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Categorized qualitative feedback based on sentiment (positive, neutral, negative).
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Allowed for a data-driven understanding of user frustrations and needs.
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Key Insights & Prioritization
Following research analysis, I created a list of key insights, prioritized using the MoSCoW matrix (Must-Have, Should-Have, Could-Have, Won’t-Have).
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Key Finding: Younger users desire interactive, social-driven experiences rather than just passive content consumption. By offering positive app UX and offering new engaging features will help to retain and attract new young users.
User Persona Created: A "Content Creator Persona" was developed to guide feature ideation.
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SOLUTION DEFINITION PHASE: FEATURE DEVELOPMENT & TESTING
Feature Ideation & Prioritization
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To brainstorm possible solutions, we used:
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Mind Mapping to explore feature ideas.
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HMW (How Might We) Questions to generate innovative solutions.
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Dot Voting & Score Cards to prioritize the best ideas based on feasibility and impact.

Prototype Development & Testing
A low-fidelity (lo-fi) prototype was created and tested:
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Usability Testing: Identified common user pain points.
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Action Plan Created: Proposed solutions based on feedback.
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Iterative Improvements & A/B Testing
Two prototype variations were tested through A/B Testing:
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Group A: Basic feature interaction.
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Group B: Enhanced version with additional engagement elements.
Results: Group B showed higher engagement due to improved interactivity
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LAUNCH PHASE: IMPLEMENTATION & EVALUATION
Product Metrics & HEART Framework
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To measure success, I applied the HEART framework (Happiness, Engagement, Adoption, Retention, Task Success).
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Key metrics tracked:
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Engagement Rate: % of users interacting with the new feature.
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Adoption Rate: % of new users trying the feature.
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Retention Rate: % of returning users after feature release.
Com & Stakeholder Alignment
Effective communication was key throughout the product lifecycle.
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Shared Workspace Maintained: A central hub for documentation, roadmaps, and updates.
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Stakeholder Influence Matrix Used: Ensured structured and clear communication with all stakeholders.


Product Launch Plan
Steps Taken for a Successful Launch:
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Defined launch objectives & milestones
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Identified target audience & marketing strategy
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Coordinated internal resources & stakeholder involvement
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Set up post-launch monitoring & feedback loops
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Post-Launch Analysis & Retrospective
Key learnings from launch:
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Collected user feedback via surveys and app analytics.
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Conducted a retrospective to analyze what worked and what could improve.
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Iterated based on insights to optimize future engagement strategies.
key take-aways
By following a hypothesis-driven product management approach, I successfully designed, tested, and launched a new feature aimed at increasing engagement among younger users.
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This project demonstrated my ability to research, ideate, prototype, test, launch, and manage a product feature—all while aligning with business goals and user needs.

User Research is Critical for Success
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Research-driven insights ensured we built the right solution.
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Tagging, color coding, and sentiment analysis improved decision-making.

Clear Communication Improves Team Alignment
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A centralized shared workspace streamlined collaboration.
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Stakeholder Influence Matrix ensured better decision-making.

Feature Prioritization Matters
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Using MoSCoW prioritization helped focus on high-impact features.

A Structured Launch Plan Ensures a Smooth Rollout
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A clear launch roadmap, KPIs, and monitoring strategy led to a successful feature release.

Iterative Testing is Essential
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Lo-fi prototyping & A/B testing refined the feature before full rollout.

Post-Launch Reflection Drives Continuous Improvement
Conducting a retrospective analysis helped identify optimization opportunities.