How AI Product Managers Conduct Effective Requirement Research

Effective requirement and business research is the essential first step for any product manager, but the approach must differ between consumer‑facing (B2C) and enterprise (B2B) products because their underlying goals are fundamentally different.

C‑End Research: Capture Scale and Flow

Consumer products such as WeChat, TikTok, or Dianping prioritize "traffic is king". To avoid survivor bias, the author recommends:

Qualitative via questionnaires: Large user bases make one‑on‑one interviews impractical; distributing incentivized surveys helps define a broad, objective user persona.

Quantitative via data tracking: Embedding low‑level event tracking lets teams replace guesswork with real click‑through and conversion rates.

Macro via competitive analysis: The highly transparent, fiercely competitive C‑market requires continuous monitoring of leading rivals to shape follow‑up or differentiation tactics.

B‑End Research: Dig Deep into Business Logic

Enterprise systems (ERP, inventory, warehouse management) aim to "empower business". Their limited, role‑fixed users allow more in‑depth investigation:

Qualitative via deep interviews: With few users, one‑on‑one interviews are feasible, cost‑controlled, and can pinpoint core workflow pain points.

Experience via role‑rotation immersion: Data tracking often lacks statistical significance; the PM should spend days as a customer‑service agent, delivery rider, or even file taxes to avoid assumptions and truly feel system friction.

Macro via industry analysis: Because B‑end products are usually closed, highly customized, and expensive, direct competitor studies have limited value; instead, PMs should map complex business logic and use industry reports to uncover digital‑transformation opportunities.

In summary, C‑end research focuses on "common user traits and traffic", while B‑end research insists on "deep scenarios and business logic". Recognizing a product's fundamental nature enables the selection of the right research tools.