Why has Watermark's Faculty Success module seen a 15% drop in active users over the past month?

Introduction

The recent 15% drop in active users for Watermark's Faculty Success module is a concerning trend that requires immediate attention and a thorough root cause analysis. As we delve into this issue, we'll systematically examine potential factors, generate data-driven hypotheses, and develop a comprehensive plan to address the underlying causes and reverse this decline.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Looking at the timing, I'm thinking there might be a seasonal component. Has this drop coincided with the end of an academic semester or term?

Why it matters: Academic cycles could significantly impact faculty engagement with the platform. Expected answer: Yes, it aligns with the end of the spring semester. Impact on approach: If confirmed, we'd need to adjust for seasonality in our analysis.

• Considering user segments, I'm curious about the distribution of the drop. Is the 15% decrease uniform across all user types, or are certain faculty roles more affected?

Why it matters: Identifying specific affected segments could point to targeted issues. Expected answer: The drop is more pronounced among adjunct faculty. Impact on approach: We'd focus on understanding the unique needs and challenges of adjunct faculty.

• Regarding recent changes, have there been any significant updates to the Faculty Success module in the past 1-2 months?

Why it matters: Recent changes could directly correlate with the user drop. Expected answer: A new performance evaluation feature was rolled out six weeks ago. Impact on approach: We'd investigate the impact and user reception of this new feature.

• Thinking about external factors, has there been any change in institutional policies or accreditation requirements that might affect faculty's need for the module?

Why it matters: External policy changes could alter the perceived value of the product. Expected answer: No major policy changes have been reported. Impact on approach: We'd focus more on internal factors and user experience issues.