What factors are contributing to the sudden 30% increase in food waste at Compass Group's university dining halls this semester?

Introduction

The sudden 30% increase in food waste at Compass Group's university dining halls this semester is a complex issue that requires a systematic approach to identify and address the root cause. I'll follow a structured framework to analyze this problem, generate hypotheses, validate potential causes, and propose solutions.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Looking at the timing, I'm thinking this might be related to the start of a new semester. Has there been a significant change in student enrollment or dining hall capacity?

Why it matters: Changes in student population could directly impact food waste. Expected answer: Enrollment has remained stable. Impact on approach: If enrollment is stable, we'll focus on other factors.

• Considering potential menu changes, have there been any major updates to the dining hall offerings this semester?

Why it matters: New menu items could affect portion sizes or student preferences. Expected answer: Some menu changes were implemented. Impact on approach: We'll investigate the impact of these changes on food waste.

• Thinking about operational changes, has there been any shift in food preparation or serving methods recently?

Why it matters: Changes in preparation or serving could lead to overproduction or excess portions. Expected answer: No significant operational changes. Impact on approach: We'll look more closely at student behavior and other factors.

• Regarding measurement accuracy, has there been any change in how food waste is tracked or measured?

Why it matters: Ensures we're comparing apples to apples in our data analysis. Expected answer: Measurement methods have remained consistent. Impact on approach: We'll focus on actual waste increase rather than measurement discrepancies.