Should Course Hero prioritize expanding its library of study materials or focus on improving the quality and accuracy of existing content?

Introduction

The trade-off between expanding Course Hero's library of study materials and improving the quality and accuracy of existing content is a critical decision that will shape the platform's future. This scenario touches on the core value proposition of Course Hero and its ability to serve students effectively. I'll analyze this trade-off by examining the product ecosystem, potential impacts, key metrics, and experimental approaches to inform a strategic recommendation.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Context: Based on the current market dynamics, I'm thinking Course Hero might be facing increased competition. Could you share insights on our market position and how it's evolving?

Why it matters: Helps determine if expansion or quality improvement is more urgent for competitiveness. Expected answer: Increasing competition from new entrants with extensive libraries. Impact on approach: Would lean towards expansion if we're losing market share.

• Business Context: Considering our revenue model, I assume we operate on a subscription basis. Can you confirm our primary revenue streams and their relative importance?

Why it matters: Aligns solution with key revenue drivers. Expected answer: Subscription is primary, with some ad revenue from free users. Impact on approach: Would prioritize quality for retention if subscription is dominant.

• User Impact: Looking at user behavior, I'm curious about engagement patterns. What's the split between users accessing new vs. existing content?

Why it matters: Indicates whether users value breadth or depth more. Expected answer: 60% existing, 40% new content access. Impact on approach: Would focus on quality if existing content dominates usage.

• Technical: Regarding our content management system, I'm wondering about our capability to scale content creation vs. improve existing materials. What's our current technical infrastructure like for these tasks?

Why it matters: Determines feasibility and resource requirements for each option. Expected answer: Robust system for new content, less developed for quality improvement. Impact on approach: Might need to factor in technical debt for quality improvement.

• Resource: Thinking about our team structure, I'm curious about our content creation vs. curation capabilities. How are our teams currently allocated between these functions?

Why it matters: Indicates current organizational focus and potential for shift. Expected answer: 70% creation, 30% curation/quality improvement. Impact on approach: Might need to consider team restructuring or hiring for chosen direction.