akaTask is an AI-first task management and productivity assistant built for new parents. It consolidates meal planning, activity generation, gentle parenting scripts, and scheduling into a single productivity surface. The product converts parental pain (time scarcity, decision anxiety, clutter, and cognitive load) into measurable value by automating routine decisions and surfacing high-impact, personalized tasks.
This PRD captures the research insights that motivated akaTask (Part A) and defines the product strategy, MVP scope, metrics, feature set, roadmap, launch plan, and validation experiments (Part B).
PART A — Research & Insights (Case Study 1)
Research goals
- Quantify parental pain points related to household micro-decisions and time-consuming chores.
- Identify high-value automation opportunities where AI can reduce cognitive load.
- Validate willingness to adopt an integrated productivity tool vs. many single-purpose apps.
Methods
- Qualitative: 20 one-on-one interviews, 4 focus groups, contextual inquiry in-home (observational notes).
- Quantitative: online survey N=150 parents (mix of new parents and parents of toddlers).
- Competitive benchmarking: Breda (AI scripts), Huckleberry (sleep + tracking), marketplaces for used gear.
Key data points (from primary research)
- 75% of parents preferred interactive and bilingual baby monitors — indicating high interest in intelligent device integration.
- 60% reported frustration with confusing stroller/product terminologies — signals need for simplified product taxonomy and educational UX.
- 80% emphasized comfortability in baby bottles — proxies for product quality priorities and trust thresholds.
- 70% rely on recommendations from friends/coworkers for formula choices — strong social influence in decisions.
- 65% considered used toys high value — cost sensitivity & sustainability opportunity.
- 50% expressed concern about baby food cost — financial pain that product features can address.
Themes and implications
- High cognitive load & decision anxiety. Parents fear buying the “wrong” product and waste money/time. Implication: prioritize features that reduce decision friction (AI comparisons, trustworthy reviews, simple taxonomy).
- Time scarcity & repetitive chores. Tasks like meal planning and washing pump parts consume time. Implication: build automation for recurring tasks and TODO templates.
- Trust and social proof matter. Parents value authentic reviews and peer recommendations. Implication: design community/verified-review features and frictionless ways to capture in-app referrals.
- In‑person product evaluation preference. Many prefer seeing items physically. Implication: partner/retailer features (in-store demo locator) and generous return policies to lower purchase risk.
- Willingness to adopt AI for narrowly scoped, high-value problems. Parents used Duolingo/Lovevery and AI for content — good signal for AI-assisted task generation.
Problem statement (user-centered)
New parents experience a high mental load from hundreds of small decisions and time-consuming household tasks. They need a trustworthy, low-effort system that automatically generates context-aware task lists, reduces repetitive work, and provides quick expert-backed guidance so they can reclaim time and reduce anxiety.
JTBD (Jobs To Be Done)
- When I’m overwhelmed with daily parenting tasks, I want a prioritized, ready-to-act task list that fits my day, so I can reduce mental load and free time for rest or family.
- When I need dinner ideas, I want a quick, healthy meal plan and a categorized grocery list, so I can minimize planning time and avoid last-minute store runs.
- When my child is melting down, I want a short, empathetic script tailored to the situation, so I can respond calmly and effectively.
Appendix
Product Categories
I categorized products into Education, Entertainment, Feeding, Hygiene, Clothing, Safety products, Transportation, and Health products. This approach enabled us to focus on the unique attributes and requirements of each product type. For example, educational and entertainment products were evaluated for their interactive and bilingual features, which are critical for developmental growth. In contrast, feeding products were scrutinized for comfort and safety, crucial for a baby’s well-being. This segmentation provided a clear framework for analyzing parental feedback, ensuring that each product category received the attention it deserved.
Here is the information organized into a table:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| 👶 Baby Essentials | - Enjoyed using “Lovevery” and “Duolingo” for interactive learning. - Sought comfortability in baby bottles. - Recommended the Honest brand formula by a co-worker. - Preferred interactive and bilingual baby monitors. |
| 🚗 Transportation Products Feedback | - Preferred seeing products in person over online shopping. - Disliked the foldable stroller purchased from Amazon. - Confusion over stroller terminologies like “all-in-one” and “2-in-one.” |
| 🍼 Feeding and Formula Choices | - Made purchases without much price attention, such as an $11.99 product. - Focused on comfort when selecting bottles. - Tried the Honest brand formula based on recommendations. |
| 🧸 Used Toys and Strollers Opinions | - Noted that some people mark up used toys due to nostalgia. - Valued used toys highly, finding them great. - Considered used strollers acceptable. |
| 📚 Educational and Entertainment Products Insights | - Preferred interactive and bilingual toys. - Found some products unavailable. - Preferred new mattresses over used ones. |
| 🛒 Parenting and Purchasing Insights | - Discussed concerns about resale value and return policies. - Emphasized the importance of trustworthy reviews. - Mentioned financial considerations, especially for car seats. |
| 👪 Parenting Challenges | - Faced challenges managing toys and decluttering. - Sought connections with like-minded parents while avoiding judgment. - Expressed mental health concerns and the need for support. |
| 💬 Trust and Reviews | - Stressed the importance of trustworthy reviews over paid ones. - Referenced platforms like “Magic Beans” for reliable reviews. |
| 🍽️ Food and Cooking | - Shared concerns about the cost of baby food. - Expressed a desire to cook more at home. |
| 🧸 Toy Management | - Discussed difficulties with children not wanting to let go of toys. - Mentioned strategies for decluttering and managing toy overload. |
Purchasing Considerations
Purchasing considerations were divided into Finance, Value, Space, Time, Relationship, and Health. Financial aspects such as price, return policy, and resale value were critical in understanding the economic pressures parents face. Trust and image fell under Value, highlighting the importance of reliable reviews and brand perception. Space and time considerations addressed the logistical challenges of managing baby products, while relationship and health considerations explored the emotional and physical well-being of parents.
This structured approach during our user interviews proved invaluable. It allowed us to gather detailed, specific feedback and identify precise areas for improvement. Parents could express their thoughts more clearly when discussing well-defined categories, leading to more actionable insights. This division also helped us understand how different aspects of parenting intersect, such as how time constraints impact purchasing decisions or how trust in a brand influences perceived value.
Quotes and Insights from User Interviews
| Theme | Quotes | Business Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Affordability and Waste | “Used toys are great.” – Tyler “Some of the clothes we buy never get used.” – Izzy “Baby food’s price will pile up if you need to buy a whole box.” – Tyler “Some clothes are such a waste of money and space.” – Izzy “So many onesies were only worn once or twice which feels very wasteful.” – Izzy “Give the unused onesies to friends and family members.” – Izzy “Self-doubting about my choice - having buyer’s remorse.” – Izzy |
Develop a marketplace that offers affordable used baby gear to reduce waste and financial burden. Emphasize the sustainability and economic benefits of buying pre-owned items. |
| Space Constraints | “These toys take so much space.” – Tyler “We are running out of space.” – Izzy “There is so much toys in the house that needs to be thrown away.” – Tyler “Worried about how much space the toys are taking.” – Tyler “Worried about how much space the gears are taking.” – Izzy |
Provide solutions for managing and reducing the space taken up by baby items, such as storage tips, and incentives for reselling items. |
| Safety and Product Quality | “Realized plastic was safer after we’ve already bought a glass bottle.” – Izzy “Buy a plastic bottle to replace a glass one because it’s safer.” – Izzy “I want to make sure to buy the best one.” – Evan “Need to be careful about how we influence kids.” – Eric “Don’t trust paid reviews.” – Evan “Look at negative reviews because I don’t know if these reviews are accurate.” – Izzy |
Implement a rigorous safety and quality inspection process for all items listed. Ensure transparency and trust by providing detailed product reviews and ratings. |
| Confusion and Overwhelm | “What do all these terminologies mean?” – Evan “Terminologies were confusing for strollers.” – Evan “All-in-one? … 2-in-one? …” – Evan “100% cotton, organic, bamboo, microfiber, etc. What the heck is the difference and why does it matter?” – Izzy “Sizing is not consistent across brands.” – Izzy “There are so many types of formulas! Which one is the best one?” – Izzy “Confused of all these types of formulas and fabrics.” – Izzy “Frustrated of all these terminologies.” – Evan |
Provide educational resources and guides to help users understand product terminologies and make informed decisions. Simplify product descriptions and offer personalized recommendations. |
| Community and Support | “Want to connect with like-minded parents.” – Tyler’s wife “A forum is a lot better than an online article.” – Tyler’s wife “Don’t want to feel like I’m the only one going through this.” – Tyler’s wife “Am I the only one going through this?” – Tyler’s wife |
Create a community platform where parents can share experiences, ask questions, and support each other. Encourage user-generated content and discussions. |
| Time and Effort | “I spent SO MUCH time washing bottles and pump parts.” – Izzy “Frustrated that these take so long to wash!” – Izzy “Need time to recharge.” – Evan “Need alone time.” – Evan “Play video games instead of chores.” – Evan “Turn off my brain when they are asleep.” – Yaeko |
Develop features that save time and reduce effort for parents, such as tips for efficient cleaning, product recommendations for easy maintenance, and scheduling tools. |
| Decision-Making and Anxiety | “Worried that I’m not going to be buying the right one.” – Evan “Confused and lost if I’m doing this right?” – Izzy “Fearful about what my kids will absorb from what I say or do.” – Eric |
Offer personalized guidance and support to help parents make confident decisions. Include mental health and wellness resources to address parental anxiety. |
| Product Experience and Preferences | “I wish I can see the product in real life.” – Izzy, Evan “Always nice to see the product, which is not available most of the cases.” – Evan “Did not like the foldable stroller from Amazon.” – Evan “Frustrated that I can’t see the actual product in person.” – Izzy, Evan |
Enhance product listings with detailed images, videos, and virtual try-on features. Provide easy return policies to mitigate the risk of buying without seeing the product in person. |
By using this method, I gained a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted challenges parents face, which in turn, helped us develop products and solutions that are truly aligned with their needs:
Parental Challenges and Potential Opportunities
| Category | Details | Inspirations and Incorporations into akaPrep |
|---|---|---|
| 😓 Parental Frustrations | - Concerns about space being taken up by toys and gear. - Frustrations with the time-consuming cleaning process. - Feeling tired and overwhelmed by the amount of items. - Worries about falling behind and the need to catch up. - Frustrations with the lack of physical product inspection. |
- AI-Driven Decluttering Tips: Provide personalized tips on managing and reducing space taken up by baby items. - Efficient Cleaning Methods: Introduce AI-powered suggestions for faster and more effective cleaning processes. - Virtual Product Previews: Use AI to offer virtual previews and detailed 3D images of products. |
| 🤔 Confusion and Doubt | - Confusion over terminology and product selection. - Doubts about making the right choices and buyer’s remorse. - Uncertainty about using the correct formulas and fabrics. - Fear of not understanding parenting terminology. |
- Educational Resources: Incorporate AI to generate simple explanations and comparisons of different products and terminologies. - Personalized Recommendations: Use AI to provide customized product suggestions based on user preferences and previous purchases. |
| 🧼 Cleaning and Space Concerns | - Worries about the space toys and gear occupy. - Frustrations with the washing and cleaning process. - Need for more efficient cleaning methods. - Concerns about the amount of space items take up. |
- Space Management Tools: Integrate AI to offer space-saving solutions and organization tips. - AI Cleaning Schedules: Develop AI-powered cleaning schedules and tips to make cleaning more manageable and efficient. |
| 🛍️ Product Selection Worries | - Worries about making the best product choices. - Confusion over different product types and features. - Desire for more information on product rewards and programs. - Concerns about influencing children and making the right purchases. |
- AI Product Comparisons: Enable AI to compare product features, prices, and user reviews to help parents make informed decisions. - Reward Program Notifications: Implement AI to notify parents about reward programs and deals related to their purchases. |
| 🤱 Parenting Challenges | - Need for alone time and self-care. - Challenges in managing outgrown clothes and baby items. - Seeking advice and support from other parents. - Fear of children absorbing negative influences. |
- AI Mental Health Support: Offer AI-driven daily guided journals and mental health support features. - Community Building Tools: Create AI-powered forums and discussion boards to connect parents with similar experiences. - Mindfulness and Self-Care Reminders: Integrate AI reminders for self-care and mental wellness activities. |
Additional Insights
- “Lovevery” and “Duolingo” were popular choices for interactive and bilingual learning.
- Bottles’ comfortability and formula recommendations played a significant role in decision-making.
- There was a clear preference for seeing products in person before purchasing.
- The cost of baby food and efficient home cooking were notable concerns.
- Reviews, especially trustworthy ones, were crucial in the decision-making process.
- Parents faced various frustrations, including space management and the overwhelming number of baby products.
- Clear communication and support from like-minded parents were essential to navigating parenting challenges.
Data Points and Statistics
- 75% of parents preferred interactive and bilingual baby monitors.
- 60% of surveyed parents reported frustration with confusing stroller terminologies.
- 80% of parents emphasized the importance of comfortability in baby bottles.
- 70% of parents relied on recommendations from friends and coworkers for baby formulas.
- 65% of parents found used toys to be of great value.
- 50% of parents expressed concerns about the cost of baby food.
Opportunities
- Develop clearer labeling and categorization for baby products to reduce confusion.
- Increase availability of physical product displays and demonstrations.
- Promote trustworthiness in reviews by highlighting authentic user experiences.
- Create more efficient cleaning solutions and methods for baby gear and toys.
- Expand support networks and forums for parents to connect and share experiences.
Next Steps
- Conduct surveys to gather more detailed feedback on specific baby products.
- Collaborate with retailers to provide more in-store demonstrations and samples.
- Partner with review platforms to enhance the credibility and visibility of authentic reviews.
- Innovate new cleaning tools designed specifically for baby products.
- Develop online communities and resources to support parents in managing challenges and sharing advice.
As the product manager, our aim is to enhance the overall experience for parents by addressing their key concerns and preferences. The insights gathered highlight the need for clearer product information, better access to physical product demonstrations, and a greater emphasis on trustworthy reviews. By focusing on these areas, we can improve customer satisfaction and build stronger relationships with our user base.
Our key takeaways are:
- Interactive and Bilingual Products: High demand for engaging and educational baby monitors and toys.
- Product Comfortability: Comfort in baby bottles and formulas remains a top priority.
- Physical Inspection: A strong preference for seeing and testing products in person before purchase.
- Trustworthy Reviews: The necessity of promoting genuine and reliable product reviews.
- Cleaning Efficiency: A significant need for more effective cleaning solutions for baby gear.
Action Plan:
- Enhance Product Labels: Simplify and clarify product labels and terminologies to reduce confusion.
- In-Store Demonstrations: Collaborate with retailers to provide more opportunities for in-person product testing.
- Promote Authentic Reviews: Work with review platforms to highlight genuine user experiences and feedback.
- Innovate Cleaning Solutions: Invest in the development of efficient cleaning tools specifically designed for baby products.
- Support Networks: Foster online communities for parents to share experiences, advice, and support.