Building Data and AI Products in Fintech: A Product Management Perspective

Madhumita Mantri
4 min readOct 12, 2023

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Building data and AI products in fintech is a thrilling yet challenging journey. It requires a deep understanding of user needs, the financial technology landscape, and the responsible development and deployment of AI systems.

In this article, I will share insights from my experience at Fintech, highlighting the critical role of a robust product management foundation. I will also discuss the importance of PM-data science collaboration and data-driven decision-making in this domain.

Understanding User Needs

The first step in building any data or AI product is to deeply understand the needs of the users. This is especially important in fintech, where the products have a significant impact on people’s financial lives.

Product managers can use a variety of methods to understand user needs, including interviews, surveys, and user analytics. It is also important to stay up-to-date on industry trends and regulatory changes to ensure that the product is meeting the evolving needs of users and businesses.

Defining Clear Goals

Once the product manager has a good understanding of user needs, they can define clear goals for the product. This includes defining the specific problem that the product is trying to solve, the key features that the product will offer, and the metrics that will be used to measure success.

It is important to set realistic and measurable goals. The goals should also be aligned with the overall business strategy of the fintech company.

Embracing Agile Iteration

An agile approach is essential for building data and AI products in fintech. This is because the data and the algorithms are constantly evolving, and the product needs to be able to adapt to these changes.

Product managers can embrace an agile approach by breaking down the product development process into smaller iterations. This allows the team to quickly build and test prototypes, and to get feedback from users early on.

Prioritizing Data Security and Compliance

Data security and compliance are top priorities for fintech companies. Product managers must work closely with legal and compliance teams to ensure that the product is compliant with all applicable regulations.

Product managers should also implement appropriate data security measures to protect user data from unauthorized access and disclosure.

Crafting a User-Centric Design

The design of a data or AI product should be user-centric. This means that the product should be easy to use and understand, even for users with no technical knowledge.

Product managers should involve users in the design process to get their feedback and suggestions. They should also use user testing to validate the design and identify any usability issues.

Tracking Performance Metrics

It is important to track the performance of data and AI products to ensure that they are meeting their goals. Product managers should define key performance indicators (KPIs) for the product and track them over time.

Some common KPIs for data and AI products include predictive accuracy, default rates, and time saved in underwriting. By tracking these metrics, product managers can identify areas where the product can be improved.

Conclusion

Building data and AI products in fintech is a complex and challenging task. However, by following the key principles outlined above, product managers can increase their chances of success.

By prioritizing user needs, setting clear goals, embracing agile iteration, and focusing on data security, compliance, and user-centric design, product managers can build data and AI products that deliver real value to fintech users and businesses.

Key Takeaways

  • Start with a deep understanding of user needs.
  • Define clear and measurable goals for the product.
  • Embrace an agile approach to development.
  • Prioritize data security and compliance.
  • Craft a user-centric design.
  • Track performance metrics to ensure that the product is meeting its goals.

Building Bridges: PM-Data Science Collaboration in Fintech

Effective collaboration between product managers and data scientists is essential for building innovative data and AI products in fintech.

Product managers bring their expertise in user needs and business strategy to the table, while data scientists bring their expertise in data analytics and machine learning. By working together, PMs and data scientists can bridge the gap between user needs and data-driven solutions.

Here is an example of a real-world scenario where PM-data science collaboration sparked innovation in fintech:

A fintech company was looking to improve its credit scoring model. The company’s product managers worked closely with data scientists to understand the needs of the business and the customers. The data scientists analyzed the company’s historical loan data to identify factors that were predictive of default.

Together, the PMs and data scientists developed a new AI-driven credit scoring model that was more accurate than the previous model. The new model also reduced loan approval times, which improved the customer experience and boosted the company’s bottom line.

Key Takeaways

  • Foster open communication between PMs and data scientists.
  • Set clear goals and expectations for collaboration

To access future content follow me@https://linktr.ee/madhumitamantri

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Madhumita Mantri
Madhumita Mantri

Written by Madhumita Mantri

I write about How to Empower Data and AI Innovation with 0 to 1 Product Mastery and Product Management Interview prep, Career Transition to PM!

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