Why has the average time-to-hire on Incredible Health's platform increased from 20 to 35 days in the past quarter?

Introduction

The increase in average time-to-hire on Incredible Health's platform from 20 to 35 days over the past quarter is a significant shift that warrants thorough investigation. This analysis will systematically identify, validate, and address the root cause while considering both immediate and long-term implications for the platform's performance and user satisfaction.

To tackle this issue, I'll follow a structured approach that covers issue identification, hypothesis generation, validation, and solution development. My goal is to uncover the underlying factors contributing to this increase and propose actionable strategies to improve the platform's efficiency.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Looking at the timing, I'm thinking there might be seasonal factors at play. Have we seen similar patterns in previous years during this quarter?

Why it matters: Seasonal trends could explain the increase and inform our approach. Expected answer: No significant seasonal patterns observed in previous years. Impact on approach: If seasonal, we'd focus on adapting to cyclical changes; if not, we'd investigate other factors.

• I'm curious about any recent platform changes. Have there been any significant updates to the matching algorithm or user interface in the past quarter?

Why it matters: Recent changes could directly impact the time-to-hire metric. Expected answer: A minor update to the candidate profile section was implemented. Impact on approach: If changes occurred, we'd investigate their specific effects on the hiring process.

• Considering user segments, has there been a shift in the types of healthcare positions being filled through the platform recently?

Why it matters: Different job types may have varying hiring timelines. Expected answer: An increase in specialized nursing positions has been noted. Impact on approach: If job mix has changed, we'd analyze how different positions affect overall metrics.

• I'm wondering about external market conditions. Has there been any significant change in the healthcare job market or economy that might affect hiring decisions?

Why it matters: External factors could influence employer behavior and hiring speed. Expected answer: No major market shifts, but ongoing healthcare worker shortages persist. Impact on approach: Market conditions would guide our focus on either internal optimizations or adapting to external pressures.