The PRD is a concrete checkpoint that kicks off a project for Product Designers. It gives us a clear understanding of the core requirements including the user problems and needs we are trying to solve for, business goals, product and technical constraints, key metrics to be aware of, and more. A PRD is like a set of traffic cones. It establishes some guidelines. Without them teams can swerve and diverge unnecessarily. But, similar to traffic cones, a PRD is rarely set in stone. It can be moved, added to, and adjusted and designers have the opportunity to help shape the it to set the team up for success. Here are 3 things designers should consider when reviewing a PRD.
1 - Identify the user problem
Product designers are user advocates. One of the first things we need to do when starting a project is to make sure we truly understand user problem we are solving for. Does the PRD state a user problem? If it does, is it clear? Do you understand the root of the problem? Ask why to dig deeper into why the problem exists. If the problem isn’t clearly stated, call it out and work with your team to uncover it. Without a clear problem it’s impossible to know what you’re designing for and how to measure what a successful solution looks like.
2 - Act as a stakeholder
Product designers are stakeholders in projects. We should engage in PRDs as if the outcome of the project impacts our own success. This means that our relationship with a PRD isn’t transactional. It’s collaborative. We have a shared ownership and responsibility on the direction of each project and helping set up our team for success. Ask questions, be curious, and pursue relentlessly for clarity. The PRD is a great way to spark discussions early in a project. If a PRD is prescriptive about what the design should look like we should feel empowered to challenge ideas and help guide design thinking instead of blindly accepting whatever is written. The goal here isn’t to be a point of friction but to be a champion for progress and critical design thinking.
3 - Drive clarity
It’s unrealistic for everything to be figured out early in a project but there’s also a difference between being complacent with ambiguity versus actively pursuing it. As designers, we should strive to be aware of what is and isn’t understood so that we can help bring clarity when there are gaps. Here are some examples of how designers can drive clarity from the PRD:
Early problem framing
Instead of accepting a vague PRD statement like “improve onboarding,” ask: Which part of onboarding is failing? What metric defines success?
Feature scope discussions
If the scope of the project is unclear, map what’s known vs. unknown. Helping visualize areas of ambiguity can help give the team a clear picture of what needs to be defined.
User validation
If research is missing, propose a quick test or prototype to close the gap. Create a clear picture of what data is a must have versus nice to have for design.
Cross-functional alignment
Summarize open questions in a doc, Slack thread, or in the PRD itself so the team can see where clarity is missing so that ownership and accountability for each item can be established.
Reading a PRD isn’t a passive step in the design process. It’s a chance to shape the foundation of the project before decisions are solidified. When designers engage early, question assumptions, and push for clarity, they help the team move faster and with more confidence. A good PRD should reflect shared understanding, not just product intent, and designers play a key role in making that happen.