What's causing the sudden increase in app crashes for AllTrails' Android users since the latest update?

Introduction

The sudden increase in app crashes for AllTrails' Android users since the latest update is a critical issue that demands immediate attention. As we delve into this problem, we'll employ a systematic approach to identify, validate, and address the root cause while considering both short-term fixes and long-term implications for the product.

Our analysis will follow a structured framework, covering issue identification, hypothesis generation, validation, and solution development. This approach ensures we leave no stone unturned in our quest to resolve the app crash issue and improve the overall user experience.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Looking at the timing, I'm thinking this might be related to the recent update. Can you confirm when exactly the latest update was released and when the increase in crashes was first noticed?

Why it matters: This helps establish a clear timeline and potential correlation. Expected answer: The update was released X days ago, and crashes increased Y days later. Impact on approach: A close temporal relationship would strengthen the hypothesis that the update is directly related to the crashes.

• Given that this is affecting Android users specifically, I'm curious about the device landscape. Could you provide information on which Android versions and device models are most affected by these crashes?

Why it matters: This helps identify if the issue is platform-wide or specific to certain configurations. Expected answer: A breakdown of affected devices and Android versions. Impact on approach: If limited to specific versions or devices, it narrows our focus for debugging.

• I'm wondering about the nature of these crashes. Are they occurring at a specific point in the user journey, or are they seemingly random?

Why it matters: This helps pinpoint whether the issue is feature-specific or more systemic. Expected answer: Details on when and where crashes most commonly occur. Impact on approach: Feature-specific crashes would lead us to investigate that particular functionality more closely.

• Considering user feedback is crucial, have there been any notable patterns in user reports or reviews since the update?

Why it matters: User feedback can provide valuable insights that may not be captured by crash reports alone. Expected answer: A summary of common themes in user feedback. Impact on approach: Consistent user reports could guide our investigation towards specific areas of the app.

• I'm curious about the development process. Were there any significant changes in the testing or deployment procedures for this latest update?

Why it matters: This could reveal potential gaps in the QA process that led to the issue. Expected answer: Information on any changes to the development or release process. Impact on approach: Identifying process issues could lead to both immediate fixes and long-term improvements in development practices.