What factors are contributing to the increased error rate in KUBRA's Notifi alerts system, particularly for SMS notifications, in the past month?

Introduction

The increased error rate in KUBRA's Notifi alerts system, particularly for SMS notifications, over the past month is a critical issue that demands immediate attention. This problem directly impacts our ability to deliver timely and reliable notifications to users, potentially eroding trust in our service. I'll approach this analysis systematically, focusing on identifying the root cause, validating hypotheses, and developing both short-term fixes and long-term solutions.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Given the sudden increase, I'm wondering about recent system changes. Have there been any updates to the Notifi alerts system in the past 1-2 months?

Why it matters: Recent changes could be directly linked to the error rate spike. Expected answer: Yes, there was a system update. Impact on approach: If confirmed, I'd focus on regression testing and rollback options.

• Considering user segments, are we seeing this issue across all carriers or specific ones?

Why it matters: Carrier-specific issues could indicate network problems or API changes. Expected answer: The issue is more prevalent with certain carriers. Impact on approach: I'd prioritize investigating carrier-specific integrations and APIs.

• Thinking about volume, has there been a significant increase in SMS notification requests recently?

Why it matters: A sudden surge in volume could overwhelm the system. Expected answer: There's been a 20% increase in notification requests. Impact on approach: I'd look into scaling issues and system capacity.

• Regarding error types, are we seeing specific error codes or a general failure to deliver?

Why it matters: Different error types point to different root causes. Expected answer: There's a mix of timeout errors and delivery failures. Impact on approach: I'd focus on both system performance and message delivery processes.