Process
Areas
(staged)

Level 2
 
REQM
 PP
 PMC
 SAM
 MA
 PPQA
 CM
Level 3
 
RD
 TS
 PI
 VER 
 VAL 
 OPF
 OPD
 OT
 IPM
 RSKM
 DAR
Level 4
 
OPP
 QPM
Level 5 
 
OPM 
 CAR

      5. Process Areas
          5.1. Causal Analysis and Resolution
              SG 1 Determine Causes of Selected Outcomes
 SP 1.1 Select Outcomes for Analysis 
Process AreaCAR
Level5
GoalSG 1
PracticeSP 1.1

Select outcomes for analysis.

This activity could be triggered by an event (reactive) or could be planned periodically, such as at the beginning of a new phase or task (proactive).

Example Work Products

1.    Data to be used in the initial analysis

2.    Initial analysis results data

3.    Outcomes selected for further analysis

Subpractices

1.    Gather relevant data.

Examples of relevant data include the following:

·       Defects reported by customers or end users

·       Defects found in peer reviews or testing

·       Productivity measures that are higher than expected

·       Project management problem reports requiring corrective action

·       Process capability problems

·       Earned value measurements by process (e.g., cost performance index)

·       Resource throughput, utilization, or response time measurements

·       Service fulfillment or service satisfaction problems

 

2.    Determine which outcomes to analyze further.

When determining which outcomes to analyze further, consider their source, impact, frequency of occurrence, similarity, the cost of analysis, the time and resources needed, safety considerations, etc.

Examples of methods for selecting outcomes include the following:

·       Pareto analysis

·       Histograms

·       Box and whisker plots for attributes

·       Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA)

·       Process capability analysis

 

3.    Formally define the scope of the analysis, including a clear definition of the improvement needed or expected, stakeholders affected, target affected, etc.

Refer to the Decision Analysis and Resolution process area for more information about analyzing possible decisions using a formal evaluation process that evaluates identified alternatives against established criteria.



Process
Areas
(continuous)


Process
management  
 
OPF
 OPD
 OT  
 
OPP  
 OPM

Project
management
 
PP
 PMC 
 REQM 
 
SAM  
 
IPM
 RSKM
 
QPM

Engineering
 
RD 
 TS
 PI
 VER 
 VAL
Support
 
CM
 PPQA
 MA
 
DAR
 CAR