Tech Blog
A passion for research and continuous development
What does a data product owner do at a mobility tech company? Stephanie Farrugia, Product Owner at eCabs Technologies, shares how her team keeps pace with a fast-changing sector, and why she loves research and continuous development.
What is your role as a data product owner?
My role is very dynamic. I am the Product Owner of Data at eCabs Technologies. Data is a key business enabler. It helps stakeholders make timely, informed decisions, both strategic and operational.
My main responsibilities are to:
- keep our data infrastructure running smoothly
- prioritise incoming data requests based on their business impact
- give fellow product owners the data analytics they need before designing new features
- work with the team to find the right technical approach when reporting needs are complex
When I first joined eCabs, I worked on the Customer App. I identified and analysed new features to improve the customer journey.
With our UI/UX team, we made pickups easier. For example, customers can now pick precise pickup points in busy areas and at special events.
It is very satisfying to use those same features later as a customer, which I definitely did!
How does eCabs decide which features to build?
Our product team creates the roadmap for all our products.
We rank features by the impact they will have on stakeholders. Market research and data analytics guide these choices, because we want to deliver what matters most.
We also weigh the cost and effort of each feature against its business value.
Which technology trends is eCabs embracing?
eCabs and Google, supported by TIM Italia and Noovle Malta Ltd, partnered to explore machine learning. The goal is to give each customer a more personal experience.
We do this by applying algorithms to historical and real-time data. These predict customer preferences from behaviour patterns and the outside factors that affect them.
We are also proud to be among the first ride-hailing platforms worldwide to use the Google Maps Mobility Platform. Real-time data gives us:
- precise dispatch
- accurate estimated times of arrival (ETAs)
- smart route optimisation
- dynamic pricing
The result is faster rides and better cost efficiency for passengers and drivers. Read more about our partnership with Google.
How do you work with other teams?
This is one of the most rewarding parts of the role. The process usually looks like this:
- We turn an idea into a Product Requirement Document, with a detailed plan for how to deliver it.
- Another product owner in the team reviews it.
- We start a chain of communication with other teams, from the Solution Architect to the developers, and discuss any technical changes.
- Once the product is built, our Quality Assurance (QA) team tests it against the Behaviour-Driven Development (BDD) scenarios we wrote earlier.
- When QA signs off, the product is released and the work comes to life!
What challenges have you faced in product development?
Prioritisation is always tricky in a fast-paced industry like mobility. To stay ahead of the competition, you need to set trends, not follow them.
Our product team watches market developments closely. Using the criteria above, we adapt our roadmap when needed.
How do you adapt the product for different markets?
Localisation tools are key, starting with language translation. Researching each region’s regulatory requirements is just as important.
We… take pride in being among the first global ride-hailing platforms to leverage the distinctive capabilities of the Google Maps Mobility Platform.
eCabs Technologies Product Owner Stephanie Farrugia
Our product vision is a flexible platform. Each operator can decide which features to switch on, including different pricing strategies to suit their market.
Operationally, we focus on bringing country-specific changes to market quickly.
What is your proudest milestone so far?
With the data team, and guided by key stakeholders, we built a reporting dashboard. It draws on our 14 years of operational experience to support current and future operators.
Once onboarded, operators can see their performance in almost real time. Find out more about our reports and analytics.
How do you stay up to date with industry trends?
I follow competitor and market analysis closely and subscribe to relevant technical resources. This is key in such a fast-moving industry.
Knowledge sharing across teams also helps a lot, and the company actively encourages it.
What excites you about the future of eCabs Technologies?
We integrate leading technology from partners like Google Cloud. This helps our platform make the most of today’s opportunities and prepares us for what comes next, such as autonomous vehicles.
There is growing pressure for sustainability and environmental policies. I believe the mobility industry will play a key role in that shift, with real commitment from everyone involved.
