Why has the average battery life of Tile Pro devices declined from 12 months to 9 months for units sold in the past 6 months?

Introduction

The decline in average battery life of Tile Pro devices from 12 months to 9 months for units sold in the past 6 months is a critical issue that demands immediate attention. This unexpected drop in performance not only affects user satisfaction but also potentially impacts our brand reputation and market position. I'll approach this problem systematically, focusing on identifying the root cause, validating hypotheses, and developing both short-term fixes and long-term solutions.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Looking at the timing, I'm thinking there might have been a recent change in manufacturing or components. Has there been any shift in our supply chain or production processes in the last 6-9 months?

Why it matters: Changes in production could directly impact battery quality or performance. Expected answer: Yes, we switched to a new battery supplier 8 months ago. Impact on approach: If confirmed, we'd focus on supplier quality control and component testing.

• Considering user behavior, I'm curious if there's been any change in how customers are using their Tile Pro devices. Have we seen any significant shifts in usage patterns or frequency?

Why it matters: Increased usage could lead to faster battery drain. Expected answer: No significant changes in overall usage patterns have been observed. Impact on approach: If usage patterns are stable, we'd shift focus to hardware or software issues.

• Thinking about software updates, have there been any major firmware changes rolled out in the past 6-9 months that could affect battery performance?

Why it matters: Software bugs or inefficient algorithms could cause excessive battery drain. Expected answer: A firmware update was pushed 7 months ago to improve location accuracy. Impact on approach: If confirmed, we'd prioritize code review and performance optimization.

• Regarding quality control, has there been any change in our testing procedures or thresholds for battery life before shipping?

Why it matters: Relaxed QC standards could allow lower-performing units to reach customers. Expected answer: No changes in QC procedures have been implemented recently. Impact on approach: If QC is unchanged, we'd focus on issues arising post-production.