What factors are contributing to the 30% decrease in partner institution logins on ApplyBoard's platform since the latest update?

Introduction

The 30% decrease in partner institution logins on ApplyBoard's platform since the latest update is a critical issue that demands immediate attention. This significant drop in engagement could have far-reaching consequences for the company's core business model and user satisfaction. I'll approach this problem systematically, focusing on identifying the root cause, validating hypotheses, and developing both short-term fixes and long-term solutions.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Looking at the timing, I'm thinking this might be related to the recent update. Can you provide more details about what changes were implemented in the latest update?

Why it matters: Understanding the scope of changes helps pinpoint potential causes. Expected answer: A list of major features or changes in the update. Impact on approach: Directs focus to specific areas of the platform affected by the update.

• I'm curious about the user segments affected. Is the 30% decrease uniform across all partner institutions, or are some more affected than others?

Why it matters: Identifies whether the issue is systemic or specific to certain user groups. Expected answer: Data showing variation in login decreases across different partner types. Impact on approach: Helps narrow down potential causes and tailor solutions to affected segments.

• Considering potential external factors, have there been any significant changes in the education landscape or application processes that might influence partner institution behavior?

Why it matters: Rules out external causes before diving into internal issues. Expected answer: Information on recent industry trends or regulatory changes. Impact on approach: Determines whether to focus on internal platform issues or broader market factors.

• I'm wondering about the timeline of this decrease. Was it a sudden drop immediately after the update, or a gradual decline over time?

Why it matters: Helps distinguish between immediate technical issues and longer-term user adoption problems. Expected answer: Data showing the pattern of decrease over time since the update. Impact on approach: Informs whether to prioritize technical fixes or user experience improvements.