The Flex team is discussing: should we expand Amazon Flex scheduling options or optimize current time slots?

Introduction

The trade-off we're examining today is whether to expand Amazon Flex scheduling options or optimize current time slots. This decision is crucial for the Flex team as it directly impacts driver availability, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency. I'll analyze this trade-off by considering various factors including business context, user impact, technical feasibility, and resource allocation.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Context: I'm thinking about the current state of Flex scheduling. Could you share more about the existing time slot structure and any specific pain points we're trying to address?

Why it matters: Helps identify the root cause of the trade-off consideration Expected answer: Current slots are rigid, causing driver availability issues Impact on approach: Would focus on flexibility vs. optimization strategies

• Business Context: Based on our revenue model, I assume this decision could impact our ability to meet delivery commitments. How critical is this to our Q4 targets?

Why it matters: Aligns solution with business priorities Expected answer: Highly critical, directly affects customer satisfaction and retention Impact on approach: Would prioritize short-term gains while considering long-term sustainability

• User Impact: Considering both drivers and customers, which segment is experiencing more friction with the current system?

Why it matters: Helps prioritize which user group to focus on Expected answer: Drivers are facing more challenges with inflexible schedules Impact on approach: Would lean towards solutions that increase driver satisfaction and availability

• Technical Feasibility: I'm curious about our current system's flexibility. How complex would it be to implement more granular scheduling options?

Why it matters: Determines the feasibility and timeline of potential solutions Expected answer: Moderately complex, requiring significant backend changes Impact on approach: Would consider phased implementation or simpler optimizations

• Resource Allocation: What's our current team capacity for taking on this project? Are we looking at a dedicated team or shared resources?

Why it matters: Influences the scope and timeline of potential solutions Expected answer: Limited dedicated resources available Impact on approach: Would focus on high-impact, low-resource solutions initially