What factors are causing the increased error rate in Cognite's InField mobile app for asset inspections this month?

Introduction

The increased error rate in Cognite's InField mobile app for asset inspections this month is a critical issue that demands immediate attention. As we analyze this product problem, we'll follow a systematic framework to identify, validate, and address the root cause while considering both immediate and long-term implications.

Our approach will involve a thorough examination of the issue, generation of data-driven hypotheses, and development of a comprehensive solution strategy. We'll begin by clarifying the context, then rule out external factors before diving deep into the product's user journey, metric breakdown, and potential root causes.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Looking at the timing, I'm thinking there might be a recent change in the app. Has there been any significant update or feature release in the past month?

Why it matters: Recent changes often correlate with performance issues. Expected answer: Yes, a new version was released. Impact on approach: If yes, we'll focus on changes in that release.

• Considering user segments, I'm curious about the distribution of errors. Are we seeing this increased error rate across all user types, or is it concentrated in specific segments?

Why it matters: Helps narrow down potential causes related to user behavior or device types. Expected answer: The issue affects a specific user segment more. Impact on approach: We'll investigate that segment's unique characteristics or usage patterns.

• Thinking about the error rate metric, I'm wondering about its components. Can you clarify how exactly we're calculating this error rate?

Why it matters: Ensures we're analyzing the correct metric and not missing any nuances. Expected answer: Detailed breakdown of the error rate calculation. Impact on approach: We'll focus on the specific components showing increases.

• Considering external factors, I'm curious about any changes in network infrastructure. Have there been any significant changes or issues with our cloud service providers or CDNs?

Why it matters: Network issues can significantly impact mobile app performance. Expected answer: No major reported issues with cloud providers. Impact on approach: If no, we'll focus more on internal factors.