You are the PM responsible for the Recommended for you content strip in the Disney Plus app, and you have noticed a sudden 10% drop in total average minutes viewed. What do you do?

Introduction

A sudden 10% drop in total average minutes viewed for the "Recommended for you" content strip in the Disney Plus app is a significant issue that requires immediate attention. As the responsible PM, 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 this could be a recent change. When exactly did we notice this 10% drop?

Why it matters: Helps pinpoint potential causes and narrows the investigation timeframe. Expected answer: Within the last week or two. Impact on approach: A sudden drop suggests a specific trigger rather than gradual decline.

• Considering user segments, I'm wondering if this affects all users equally. Have we seen any differences in the drop across user demographics or subscription types?

Why it matters: Identifies if the issue is universal or specific to certain user groups. Expected answer: The drop is more pronounced in newer subscribers. Impact on approach: Would focus on onboarding and early engagement strategies.

• Thinking about content, I'm curious if this drop correlates with any changes in our recommendation algorithm. Have there been any recent updates to how we curate the "Recommended for you" strip?

Why it matters: Could reveal if the issue stems from changes in our recommendation system. Expected answer: A minor algorithm update was implemented recently. Impact on approach: Would scrutinize the algorithm changes and their impact on content diversity.

• Considering external factors, I'm wondering about any significant content releases or removals. Have there been any major changes to our content library in the past month?

Why it matters: Content availability directly impacts viewing time. Expected answer: A popular series concluded its final season. Impact on approach: Would analyze the impact of content cycles on viewing patterns.