What factors are contributing to the increased error rate in FactSet's real-time market data feeds this quarter?

Introduction

The increased error rate in FactSet's real-time market data feeds this quarter is a critical issue that demands immediate attention. As we delve into this problem, we'll employ a systematic approach to identify, validate, and address the root cause while considering both short-term fixes and long-term strategic implications.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Looking at the timing, I'm thinking there might be a correlation with recent system changes. Have there been any significant updates or deployments to the data feed infrastructure in the past quarter?

Why it matters: Recent changes could be directly linked to the increased error rate. Expected answer: Yes, there was a major update to our data processing pipeline. Impact on approach: If confirmed, we'd focus on regression testing and rollback options.

• Considering the nature of real-time data, I'm curious about the load patterns. Has there been any unusual spike in data volume or user activity that coincides with the increase in errors?

Why it matters: Unexpected load could strain the system, leading to errors. Expected answer: We've seen a 20% increase in data volume from new market segments. Impact on approach: We'd need to investigate scalability and capacity planning.

• Given the complexity of market data, I'm wondering about data source reliability. Have we observed any changes or issues with our upstream data providers?

Why it matters: External data quality issues could propagate through our system. Expected answer: No significant changes reported from our primary data sources. Impact on approach: We'd shift focus to internal processing and distribution mechanisms.

• Thinking about system health, I'm interested in any correlated performance metrics. Have we noticed any changes in latency, throughput, or resource utilization alongside the increased error rate?

Why it matters: Performance degradation often accompanies increased error rates. Expected answer: There's been a slight increase in average latency across the system. Impact on approach: We'd investigate potential bottlenecks and resource constraints.