What caused the sudden 30% decrease in data accuracy scores for Syndigo's GDSN data pool submissions last week?

Introduction

The sudden 30% decrease in data accuracy scores for Syndigo's GDSN data pool submissions last week is a critical issue that demands immediate attention. This analysis will systematically 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 this could be related to a recent system update. Has there been any significant changes to our data processing pipeline in the last two weeks?

Why it matters: System changes often have unintended consequences on data quality. Expected answer: Yes, there was a minor update to our data validation rules. Impact on approach: If confirmed, we'd focus on reviewing the recent changes and their impact.

• Considering the scale of the decrease, I'm wondering if this affects all data types equally. Are we seeing variations in accuracy decline across different product categories or data fields?

Why it matters: Uneven impact could point to specific data handling issues. Expected answer: The decrease is more pronounced in certain product categories. Impact on approach: We'd prioritize investigating those specific categories and their unique data requirements.

• Given the suddenness of the change, I'm curious about any external factors. Have there been any changes in data submission guidelines from the GDSN or major retailers recently?

Why it matters: External changes could force sudden adjustments in our data handling. Expected answer: No major external guideline changes have been announced. Impact on approach: We'd shift focus to internal factors if external influences are ruled out.

• Thinking about our data sources, I'm wondering if there have been any changes in how our clients are submitting data. Have we onboarded any new major clients or seen changes in submission patterns recently?

Why it matters: New data sources or changed patterns could introduce inconsistencies. Expected answer: We've onboarded two new large retailers in the past month. Impact on approach: We'd investigate if these new data sources are contributing to the accuracy issues.