You are the PM for Google Workspace (Docs, Spreadsheet, Slides) and you see a MoM spike of 15% in storage usage. What do you do?

Introduction

A 15% month-over-month spike in storage usage for Google Workspace is a significant shift that warrants immediate attention. This analysis will systematically investigate the root cause, considering both technical and user behavior factors, to develop a comprehensive resolution plan.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Has there been any recent change in how storage usage is measured or reported?

• Are all Workspace products (Docs, Sheets, Slides) equally affected, or is the increase concentrated in one area?

• Have we observed any changes in user behavior, such as increased file uploads or creation?

• Has there been any recent marketing campaign or feature release that could have driven increased usage?

• Are there any specific user segments (e.g., enterprise vs. individual) showing more pronounced increases?

• Have we seen any unusual patterns in new user signups or existing user upgrades to higher storage tiers?

Why these questions matter: They help establish a baseline understanding of the situation and rule out measurement errors or isolated incidents. Hypothetical answers could reveal whether this is a systemic issue or limited to specific products or user groups, guiding our investigation and solution approach.