What is a common reason for performance degradation in Salesforce?

Performance degradation in Salesforce can often be attributed to record locking and data skew. Record locking occurs when multiple users attempt to access or modify the same record simultaneously, leading to contention and delays. This is particularly problematic in environments where highly interdependent records exist or when there is a heavy transactional load.

Data skew refers to situations where a large number of records are associated with a single parent record. When this occurs, operations that involve the parent record—such as data updates and queries—can become slower because the system has to manage a disproportionately large amount of child record data. The combination of record locking and data skew creates a scenario where the system's performance is hampered due to an overload on its processing capacity, resulting in slower response times and increased likelihood of time-out errors.

While excessive automation rules, workflows, and lack of user training can also influence performance in various ways, the significant impacts of record locking and data skew are often more pronounced and critical in terms of immediate system efficiency. Understanding these elements is essential for optimizing performance and ensuring that users experience smooth and efficient interactions with the platform.