Product Requirement Documents (PRDs) are the cornerstone of effective product management. They define the “why,” “what,” and “how” of a product feature or enhancement, serving as a blueprint for cross-functional teams. At their core, PRDs boil down to clearly articulating the problem being solved and outlining what needs to be built, along with supporting details to ensure alignment across teams.
Over the past few months, there has been a lot of buzz around using Large Language Models (LLMs) to simplify PRD creation. From LinkedIn posts to product podcasts, it is clear this is the new hot trend in the product space. Tools like ChatPRD, WriteMyPRD (essentially wrappers on top of LLMs), ChatGPT, Gemini and others promise faster, smarter PRD creation. Having tested several of these tools, I can see the appeal—they absolutely help with speed and structure. But here is the thing: the real value of a PRD still comes from the product manager’s ability to deeply understand the problem and clearly articulate why a proposed solution is the best path forward.
The role of LLMs in PRD creation
I have spent a good amount of time building PRDs in the last few months and experimenting with these tools, and have the below obervations. LLMs are fantastic for:
- Generating ideas and enabling quick iterations.
- Structuring PRDs with clean, well-organized templates.
- Enhancing language clarity and improving overall coherence.
- Drafting user stories and fleshing out workflow details.
For me, these tools have been a game-changer in terms of efficiency. LLMs speed up the mechanics of PRD writing, but they don’t replace the strategic thinking and nuanced understanding required to create truly impactful product requirements.
What makes a good PRD?
Before diving deeper into how LLMs help, let us revisit the basics of what every good PRD should include.
- What problem are we solving?
- Define the problem and its context.
- Explain why we’re building this feature and who it’s for.
- Highlight the target audience’s needs and pain points.
- What needs to be built?
- Provide a detailed description of the solution.
- Include workflow diagrams, user journeys, and edge cases.
- Scope and out of scope.
- Clearly define what is included and, more importantly, what isn’t.
- Success metrics.
- Identify measurable KPIs to track the feature’s impact.
These four components are the foundation of any strong PRD, although folks may include extras like launch plans, timelines or hypothesis testing.
Where LLMs excel—and where they don’t
Here’s the reality: LLMs excel at structure, flow, and surfacing gaps, but they falter when it comes to answering the most important questions:
- Why are we building this feature?
- What specific user problem are we solving?
- What impact do we want to achieve?
These questions are at the heart of great product management, and they require critical thinking, user research, and a deep understanding of your domain. This is where the product manager’s expertise remains irreplaceable.
By taking over repetitive tasks like drafting and formatting, LLMs free up time for PMs to focus on the “why” and the “what.” But make no mistake: LLMs are only as good as the inputs you provide. Garbage in, garbage out.
Think of LLMs as a smart intern: great at handling the grunt work but still requiring oversight and direction.
Collaboration: The heart of great PRDs
One of the most valuable lessons I have learned over the years is that the strength of a PRD does not come from the document itself but from the conversations it sparks. Tools like LLMs can polish and structure your ideas, but they can not replace the insights you will gain from collaborating with your team.
- Work with engineering and design teams to validate feasibility.
- Engage business stakeholders and user research to align on goals and trade-offs.
- Iterate constantly based on feedback from your cross-functional teams.
The collective expertise of your team always (atleast as of now) outshines the insights generated by an AI.
So, what does it mean?
LLMs will not transform an average PM into a great PM overnight. In fact, with the rise of LLMs in PRD writing, the difference between a good PM and a great PM has become even more evident:
Average PM: Produces lengthy PRDs filled with well-written text, complete with all the right sections and product jargon. However, these PRDs often lack depth and fail to demonstrate critical thinking or a clear understanding of the core problem.
Good PM: Invests time in research and answers the “why,” which is articulated clearly in the PRD. The document adheres to standard formats and includes all the necessary sections. However, it may stop short of challenging assumptions, presenting alternative approaches, or debating their merits in detail.
Great PM: Delivers PRDs that are concise yet sharp, addressing the “why” with precision. They outline alternative approaches, explaining why certain paths were chosen over others. These PRDs do not just inform—they provoke meaningful discussions. Stakeholders often ask deep, thoughtful questions, leading to collaborative problem-solving rather than surface-level conversations.
The difference lies in how much thought and effort goes into the strategic aspects of the PRD versus just relying on AI for execution. Remember the old saying – “garbage in garbage out”. AI and LLMs are undeniably transforming the PRD creation process, making it faster and more efficient. However, they are tools—not substitutes for deep user research, strategic thinking, or collaboration.
As a product manager, your value lies in understanding the “why,” facilitating alignment, and ensuring that your PRDs reflect a well-thought-out strategy. Use LLMs to augment your process, not replace it. Embrace the tools, but do not forget that the magic still happens in the deep thoughts/research and conversations that bring a product to life (atleast for now).
Disclaimer: https://vinaysachdeva.com/disclaimer/. The opinions expressed in the blog post are my own and do not reflect the view(s) of my employer.