Why has Platzi's course completion rate for the Data Science track dropped by 15% over the past month?

Introduction

Platzi's Data Science track completion rate drop of 15% over the past month is a significant issue that requires immediate attention. This analysis will systematically identify, validate, and address the root cause while considering both short-term and long-term implications for the product and its users.

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 form 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 there might be seasonal factors at play. Has this drop coincided with any major academic or professional cycles?

Why it matters: Seasonal trends could explain temporary fluctuations. Expected answer: No significant seasonal correlation identified. Impact on approach: If seasonal, we'd focus on cyclical strategies; if not, we'll dig deeper into product-specific issues.

• Considering user segments, I'm curious about the distribution of this drop. Is the 15% decrease uniform across all user types, or is it more pronounced in specific segments?

Why it matters: Helps pinpoint whether the issue is global or segment-specific. Expected answer: The drop is more significant among intermediate-level users. Impact on approach: If segment-specific, we'll tailor our investigation and solutions to that group.

• Thinking about recent changes, have there been any updates to the Data Science track curriculum or platform features in the past 1-2 months?

Why it matters: Recent changes could directly impact user behavior and completion rates. Expected answer: A new module on advanced machine learning was added last month. Impact on approach: If changes occurred, we'll focus on their potential impact; if not, we'll look at other factors.

• Regarding the metric itself, has there been any change in how course completion is defined or measured recently?

Why it matters: Ensures we're comparing apples to apples in our analysis. Expected answer: No changes to the metric definition or measurement. Impact on approach: If changed, we'd need to recalibrate our analysis; if not, we can proceed with current data.