What factors are contributing to the sudden 30% decrease in completion rates for General Assembly's UX Design part-time course this month?

Introduction

The sudden 30% decrease in completion rates for General Assembly's UX Design part-time course this month is a critical issue that demands immediate attention. This analysis will systematically identify, validate, and address the root cause while considering both short-term and long-term implications for the program's success.

I'll approach this problem by first clarifying key details, ruling out external factors, and then diving deep into the product, user journey, and metrics. From there, I'll generate data-driven hypotheses, conduct root cause analysis, and propose validation methods and solutions.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Looking at the timing, I'm thinking this could be a recent change. Has there been any significant update to the course content or structure in the past month?

Why it matters: Recent changes could directly impact completion rates. Expected answer: Yes, there was a curriculum update. Impact on approach: If yes, we'd focus on the changes and their effects on students.

• Considering user segments, I'm curious about the student demographics. Has there been any shift in the type of students enrolling in the course recently?

Why it matters: Different user segments may have varying completion rates. Expected answer: No significant change in demographics. Impact on approach: If no, we'd look more at course-related factors rather than user-related ones.

• Thinking about the course delivery, has there been any change in the instructors or teaching assistants for this cohort?

Why it matters: Changes in instruction quality could affect student engagement and completion. Expected answer: Some new instructors were onboarded recently. Impact on approach: If yes, we'd investigate instructor onboarding and performance.

• Considering external factors, have there been any changes in the job market for UX designers that might affect student motivation?

Why it matters: External factors could influence student commitment to completing the course. Expected answer: No significant changes in the job market. Impact on approach: If no, we'd focus more on internal factors affecting completion rates.