Queue backlog grows
A background worker consumes jobs from a queue (emails, image resizing) and normally keeps the queue near empty. The dashboard now shows the queue depth climbing steadily and the oldest message age growing — users report their actions are taking a long time to 'take effect.' Producers are enqueuing at the normal rate. The web tier is healthy. How do you triage why the backlog is growing?
What a strong answer looks like
Stop the bleeding first (mitigate), then form hypotheses from real signals. Separate root cause from symptom, communicate status as you go, and close with what prevents a repeat.
0:00 of about 20 min
Which questions mattered is sealed until you submit. Telling you now would just be handing over the edge cases.
Run or narrate your approach, then ask the coach.