Should Great Learning prioritize expanding its course catalog or improving existing course quality to enhance student outcomes?

Introduction

The trade-off question at hand is whether Great Learning should prioritize expanding its course catalog or improving existing course quality to enhance student outcomes. This scenario involves balancing growth through new offerings against refining current products for better results. I'll approach this analysis by examining the context, stakeholders, metrics, and potential experiments to inform a strategic recommendation.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Context: I'm assuming Great Learning is an established online education platform. Could you confirm if they primarily serve working professionals or a broader audience? This impacts our approach to course expansion vs. quality improvement.

Why it matters: Helps tailor our strategy to the core user base Expected answer: Primarily working professionals seeking career advancement Impact on approach: Would focus on high-value, career-oriented courses and outcomes

• Business Context: Based on the current market, I'm thinking course completion rates might be a key revenue driver. How does Great Learning's revenue model work – is it based on course enrollments, completions, or a subscription model?

Why it matters: Aligns our strategy with the business model Expected answer: Revenue tied to course completions and certifications Impact on approach: Would emphasize course quality and student support to drive completions

• User Impact: Considering the education landscape, I'm guessing student satisfaction heavily influences word-of-mouth growth. What's the current Net Promoter Score (NPS) for Great Learning's courses?

Why it matters: Indicates current student satisfaction and potential for organic growth Expected answer: Moderate NPS with room for improvement Impact on approach: Could justify focusing on quality improvements to boost satisfaction and referrals

• Technical Feasibility: Given the potential need for new course development, I'm curious about our content creation capabilities. What's our current capacity for developing new courses versus updating existing ones?

Why it matters: Determines feasibility of rapid catalog expansion Expected answer: Limited in-house capacity, relying on partnerships for new courses Impact on approach: Might favor improving existing courses over rapid expansion

• Resource Allocation: Thinking about the investment required, I'm wondering about our budget flexibility. Is there a predefined split between new course development and existing course improvement, or is this flexible?

Why it matters: Informs the scope of potential changes Expected answer: Flexible budget, but need strong justification for major shifts Impact on approach: Would require clear ROI projections for either strategy