Why has the average turnaround time for Turnitin's Originality Check doubled for high school submissions in the past two weeks?

Introduction

The doubling of average turnaround time for Turnitin's Originality Check on high school submissions over the past two weeks is a critical issue that demands immediate attention. This analysis will systematically investigate potential root causes, validate hypotheses, and propose targeted solutions to address this performance degradation.

To tackle this problem, I'll employ a structured approach that encompasses issue identification, hypothesis generation, data analysis, and solution development. My goal is to not only resolve the immediate concern but also to implement preventative measures for long-term system stability and user satisfaction.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Given the sudden change, I'm wondering about recent system updates. Have there been any significant changes to the Originality Check algorithm or infrastructure in the last month?

Why it matters: Recent changes could directly impact processing times. Expected answer: Yes, there was a minor update to the algorithm two weeks ago. Impact on approach: If confirmed, we'd prioritize investigating the update's effects.

• Considering the specificity to high school submissions, I'm curious about submission volume. Has there been an unusual spike in high school submissions recently?

Why it matters: A sudden increase in volume could strain system resources. Expected answer: Submission rates have remained relatively stable. Impact on approach: If stable, we'd focus more on internal system issues rather than external factors.

• Thinking about potential data discrepancies, I'm wondering about the metric itself. Has the definition or measurement method for turnaround time changed recently?

Why it matters: Changes in measurement could create false alarms. Expected answer: No changes to the metric definition or measurement. Impact on approach: If unchanged, we'd rule out data integrity issues and focus on actual performance problems.

• Noticing the timing, I'm considering seasonal factors. Are we in a period of typically high submission volume for high schools, such as end-of-term?

Why it matters: Seasonal patterns could explain temporary performance issues. Expected answer: It's not a typical high-volume period for high schools. Impact on approach: If confirmed, we'd need to look deeper into system-specific issues rather than external factors.