How can we explain the sudden 30% decrease in API calls to Preqin's fund performance data endpoint over the last two weeks?

Introduction

The sudden 30% decrease in API calls to Preqin's fund performance data endpoint over the last two weeks is a critical issue that demands immediate attention. This significant drop could impact user satisfaction, revenue, and our overall product value proposition. I'll approach this problem systematically, focusing on identifying the root cause, validating hypotheses, and developing both short-term and long-term solutions.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Looking at the timing, I'm thinking there might be a recent change in our system. Has there been any recent deployment or update to the API or related systems in the past month?

Why it matters: Recent changes often correlate with performance issues. Expected answer: Yes, there was a minor update two weeks ago. Impact on approach: If confirmed, we'd prioritize investigating that update.

• Considering user behavior, I'm curious about our client base. Have we seen any changes in our top API consumers' usage patterns?

Why it matters: Large clients can significantly impact overall usage metrics. Expected answer: No significant changes noted in top client behavior. Impact on approach: If true, we'd focus more on system-wide issues rather than client-specific problems.

• Given the specific endpoint affected, I'm wondering about data freshness. Has there been any change in how frequently we update the fund performance data?

Why it matters: Data staleness could lead to reduced API calls. Expected answer: No changes in data update frequency. Impact on approach: If confirmed, we'd look more closely at API functionality and user experience.

• Thinking about potential external factors, have there been any industry events or market shifts that might affect the demand for fund performance data?

Why it matters: External factors could explain the decrease in API calls. Expected answer: No significant market events noted. Impact on approach: If true, we'd focus more on internal factors and technical issues.

• Considering system health, I'm curious about any changes in error rates or response times for this specific endpoint. Have we observed any anomalies in these metrics?

Why it matters: Performance issues could lead to reduced usage. Expected answer: Slight increase in response times noted. Impact on approach: If confirmed, we'd prioritize investigating performance optimization.