Behavioral question

Some companies don't think they need PMs. Even Google didn't have one for a while. They think they don't need them. What's your opinion?

Practice this question out loud. An AI interviewer asks it, follows up like a real interviewer would, and scores your answer. Type or speak.

What this question tests

Ability to articulate the value of the PM role with nuance, not defensiveness.

Acknowledge the premise has some truth: small, engineer-led teams with strong product instincts can succeed without a formal PM title.
Explain what the PM function actually provides regardless of title: prioritization, cross-functional alignment, and tradeoff judgment.
Note that as a company scales, this function becomes harder to distribute informally, which is why most large companies adopt PM roles.
Give a balanced view: the formal role isn't always necessary early, but the function is.
Avoid sounding defensive or dismissive of the premise.
Name the tipping point where the function needs to become a dedicated role.

Engages with the premise honestly instead of reflexively defending the PM title.
Distinguishes the PM function from the PM title or role, a key nuance.
Explains why the function becomes necessary at scale even if unnecessary in a small team.
Avoids sounding defensive, showing confidence and self-awareness about the role's real value.

Being defensive and insisting PMs are always essential without engaging with the counterpoint.
Giving a purely theoretical answer with no example of when a team can or can't do without one.

Chapters of the AI PM course that teach what this question tests.