Why has the average time to onboard new developers at Andela increased from 2 weeks to 4 weeks over the past month?

Introduction

The increase in average onboarding time for new developers at Andela from 2 to 4 weeks over the past month is a critical issue that demands immediate attention. This doubling of onboarding duration could significantly impact Andela's ability to meet client demands and maintain its competitive edge in the tech talent marketplace. I'll approach this problem systematically, focusing on identifying the root cause, validating hypotheses, and developing both short-term and long-term solutions.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Looking at the timing, I'm thinking there might have been a recent change in the onboarding process. Has Andela implemented any new onboarding procedures or technologies in the last 1-2 months?

Why it matters: Recent changes could directly correlate with the increased onboarding time. Expected answer: Yes, a new skills assessment tool was introduced. Impact on approach: If confirmed, we'd focus on evaluating the new tool's effectiveness and integration.

• Considering the scale of the increase, I'm wondering about the sample size. How many developers were onboarded in the past month compared to previous months?

Why it matters: A smaller sample size could indicate an anomaly rather than a trend. Expected answer: Similar numbers to previous months, around 50-100 developers. Impact on approach: If numbers are consistent, we'd focus on systemic issues rather than outliers.

• Given the global nature of Andela's operations, I'm curious about geographic distribution. Has the increase in onboarding time been consistent across all regions, or are some areas more affected than others?

Why it matters: Regional variations could point to localized issues or cultural factors. Expected answer: The increase is more pronounced in certain regions. Impact on approach: We'd investigate region-specific factors and potentially tailor solutions.

• Thinking about the developer experience, I'm interested in feedback. Have there been any changes in developer satisfaction scores or feedback during the onboarding process?

Why it matters: Developer feedback could provide qualitative insights into the root cause. Expected answer: There's been an increase in negative feedback about the complexity of the process. Impact on approach: We'd focus on simplifying the onboarding process and addressing specific pain points.