What is PRD
Product Requirements Document (or PRD) is a document that outlines the purpose and functionality of the product/feature. It acts as a blueprint for product teams, helping align all stakeholders in the given initiative.
Even without a big team and need for alignment, PRD is a great tool to define the "what" and "why" of the product/feature before diving directly into the "how."
PRD Examples
We've picked two well-crafted product requirement document examples from top products to give you an insight into how product specifications are structured and communicated.
Linear PRD – Priority micro-adjustment
The head of product at Linear Nan Yu shared a product requirement document example. It's short, well-structured, and shows how you can communicate initiatives.
Webflow PRD – Page branching
Nice PRD from Britt Jamison, former head of product at Webflow. Unlike the previous, this one goes into details around use cases and functionality and can give you a sense of how more technical product specs can look like.
PRD Templates
Here are some templates you can use as a starting point for writing your product requirements. I highly recommend subscribing to top product management newsletters, as they often share valuable resources, including PRD templates, best practices, and real-world examples.
PRD Structure
A modern PRD should be concise, adaptable, and collaborative. It should not be lengthy; often, a short one-pager is most effective. The structure varies by team and organization, but a good PRD typically includes:
1. Overview + Objectives
A brief summary of the product or feature
The problem statement it aims to solve
Business goals and success metrics
2. User Stories and Personas
Who are the target users
What are their pain points and needs
User stories that describe real-world use cases
3. UX and Design Guidelines
Wireframes, user flows, or interactive prototypes
Design principles that should guide the experience
4. Technical Considerations
API dependencies, frameworks, or databases
Security, compliance, or scalability concerns
5. Success Metrics and KPIs
How will you measure success
Possible metrics like adoption rate, retention, NPS score
6. Risks and Assumptions
What could go wrong
Known technical or business constraints
How to Write PRD
To write an effective product requirement document gather insights from stakeholders, analyze user needs, and align with business objectives. Here’s a step-by-step process to prepare a PRD:
1. Understand the Problem
Conduct user research, competitor analysis, and internal discussions to refine the problem statement. Gather feedback from customer support, sales, and marketing teams to validate pain points.
2. Identify Stakeholders
List all people and teams, who need to be aligned. Define their roles in decision-making and how they will contribute to the product development process.
2. Define Scope and Objectives
Establish the boundaries of the product. Determine must-have vs. nice-to-have features, considering technical feasibility, business impact, and user demand. Set clear, measurable objectives that align with company goals.
4. Ensure Collaboration and Iteration
A PRD should be a living document. Share it with stakeholders, gather feedback, and refine it continuously as new insights emerge.
Why Do You Need PRD
A Product Requirements Document helps eliminate ambiguity and addresses critical product questions from the start. It outlines:
What problem does the product/feature solve
Who are the users, and what do they need
What should be included and excluded
What constraints must be considered – technical, legal, or business
A well-structured PRD streamlines product development and minimizes misalignment between teams. By defining priorities early on, it enhances stakeholder communication and accelerates development by providing clear requirements.
Conclusion
A well-crafted PRD is not just some document with requirements – it guides decision-making, keeps teams aligned, and ensures the product delivers real value.
Having a clear, structured product vision is essential if you want to build the best product, especially for product teams working in fast-moving environments.
