CMMI - L 5 - Optimizing - CAR

Causal Analysis and Resolution – PA at L-5, is to identify causes of defects and other problems and take action to prevent them from occurring in future.

It involves the following:

1. Identifying and analyzing causes of defects and other problems
2. Use techniques like Pareto, Brainstorming, Cause-Effect to come up with root-cause rather than surface level cause
3. Taking specific actions to remove the root-causes and prevent the occurrence of these types of defects and problems in the future

The basic principle behind the PA is that reliance on detecting defects is not cost effective. We have to prevent them from happening. Some defects or problems may have been previously encountered on other projects. Causal Analysis and Resolution activities are also a mechanism for communicating lessons learnt among projects.

Causal Analysis may be performed on problems unrelated to defects.

Examples are: Cost of Quality, Productivity, cycle time, issue resolution time, number of requirement changes etc.

The key is to identify the most important improvement area in the project and then do causal analysis.

Causal Analysis and Resolution will be effective only if a proper measurement program is in place. There is no point in doing a defect prevention activity if defects data is not proper !

Goals:

1. Determine Causes (root cause) of defects
2. Address causes of Defects (and other problems)


For questions, please write to know.cmmi@gmail.com or leave a comment here.