Why has the average translation speed for DeepL's mobile app slowed by 20% for German to French translations this month?

Introduction

The recent 20% slowdown in DeepL's mobile app translation speed for German to French translations is a critical issue that demands immediate attention. As we delve into this problem, we'll employ a systematic approach to identify, validate, and address the root cause while considering both short-term fixes and long-term strategic implications.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Looking at the timing, I'm thinking there might be a recent app update. Has there been any significant changes to the app in the last month?

Why it matters: Recent changes could directly impact performance. Expected answer: Yes, there was an update two weeks ago. Impact on approach: If confirmed, we'd focus on changes in that update.

• Considering user segments, I'm wondering if this affects all users equally. Are we seeing this slowdown across all user segments or is it more pronounced in specific groups?

Why it matters: Helps narrow down potential causes related to user behavior or device types. Expected answer: The slowdown is more noticeable in users with older devices. Impact on approach: We'd investigate potential compatibility issues with older hardware.

• Given the specific language pair, I'm curious about the data. Has there been any significant change in the volume or complexity of German to French translations recently?

Why it matters: Changes in input could affect processing time. Expected answer: No significant changes in volume or complexity noted. Impact on approach: We'd shift focus from content-related issues to technical or algorithmic factors.

• Thinking about system changes, I'm wondering about our backend. Have there been any recent changes to our translation servers or APIs specifically handling German to French translations?

Why it matters: Backend changes could impact translation speed. Expected answer: No major changes to the backend systems. Impact on approach: We'd focus more on client-side issues or potential network problems.