Why has Apeel's avocado coating seen a 15% decrease in shelf life extension over the past month?

Introduction

Apeel's avocado coating, designed to extend shelf life, has experienced a 15% decrease in effectiveness over the past month. This unexpected decline in performance requires a thorough root cause analysis to identify the underlying issues and develop appropriate solutions. I'll approach this problem systematically, examining various factors that could contribute to the reduced shelf life extension.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Looking at the timing, I'm thinking there might be seasonal factors at play. Have we seen any significant changes in temperature or humidity during avocado transportation or storage in the past month?

Why it matters: Environmental conditions can significantly impact coating effectiveness. Expected answer: There have been unusually high temperatures during transport. Impact on approach: If confirmed, we'd focus on optimizing the coating for extreme conditions.

• Considering potential changes in our supply chain, has there been any alteration in our coating formulation or application process recently?

Why it matters: Even minor changes in the coating could lead to reduced effectiveness. Expected answer: No changes have been made to the formulation or application process. Impact on approach: If changes were made, we'd investigate those specific alterations.

• Thinking about our measurement methods, has there been any modification in how we're assessing shelf life extension in the past month?

Why it matters: Ensures we're comparing apples to apples in our data. Expected answer: No changes in measurement methods. Impact on approach: If changed, we'd need to recalibrate our data analysis.

• Reflecting on market dynamics, have we expanded to new regions or suppliers in the last month that might have different avocado varieties or handling practices?

Why it matters: Different avocado types or handling methods could interact differently with our coating. Expected answer: We've recently expanded to a new region with different avocado varieties. Impact on approach: We'd focus on adapting our coating for these new varieties.