Why has Simpplr's employee directory search function seen a 30% drop in usage over the past month?

Introduction

The recent 30% drop in usage of Simpplr's employee directory search function is a concerning trend that requires immediate attention. As we analyze this product issue, we'll follow a systematic framework to identify, validate, and address the root cause while considering both immediate and long-term implications.

Our approach will involve a thorough examination of the problem, generation of data-driven hypotheses, and development of a comprehensive solution strategy. We'll begin by clarifying the context, then rule out external factors before diving deep into the product's user journey, metric breakdown, and potential root causes.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Looking at the timing, I'm thinking there might have been a recent product update. Has there been any significant change to the employee directory or search functionality in the past 1-2 months?

Why it matters: Recent changes could directly impact user behavior. Expected answer: Yes, there was a UI refresh or No, no major changes. Impact on approach: If yes, we'd focus on the change impact; if no, we'd look at other factors.

• Considering user segments, I'm curious about the distribution of this drop. Is the 30% decrease uniform across all user groups, or are certain segments more affected?

Why it matters: Helps identify if it's a global issue or specific to certain users. Expected answer: It's uniform / It's more pronounced in specific groups. Impact on approach: Uniform drop suggests a system-wide issue; segmented drop narrows our focus.

• Thinking about alternative methods, has there been any change in how employees can access directory information outside of the search function?

Why it matters: Users might be fulfilling their needs through other channels. Expected answer: No changes / Yes, we introduced a new feature. Impact on approach: If yes, we'd investigate potential cannibalization; if no, we'd focus on the search function itself.

• Considering data integrity, I'm wondering if there have been any changes to how we track or measure search function usage in the past month?

Why it matters: Ensures we're comparing apples to apples in our metrics. Expected answer: No changes / Yes, we updated our tracking method. Impact on approach: If changed, we'd need to validate the new measurement system; if not, we can trust the data as is.