Establishes organizational expectations for identifying and systematically addressing the causal analysis of selected outcomes.
Identify causes of selected outcomes and take action to improve process performance.
Causal Analysis and Resolution improve quality and productivity by preventing defects or problems and identifying and appropriately incorporating the causes of superior process performance.
The Causal Analysis and Resolution process involves the following activities:
Reliance on detecting defects and problems after they have been introduced is not cost-effective. It is more effective to prevent defects and issues by integrating Causal Analysis and Resolution activities into each project phase.
Since similar outcomes may have been previously encountered in other projects or earlier phases or tasks of the current project, Causal Analysis and Resolution activities are mechanisms for communicating lessons learned among projects.
Types of outcomes encountered are analyzed to identify trends. Based on understanding the defined process and how it is implemented, the root causes of these outcomes and their future implications are determined.
Since it is impractical to perform a causal analysis on all outcomes, targets are selected by tradeoffs on estimated investments and estimated returns of quality, productivity, and cycle time.
Measurement and Analysis processes should already be in place. Existing defined measures can be used, though, in some instances, new measurement definitions, redefinitions, or clarified definitions may be needed to analyze the effects of the process change.
Causal Analysis and Resolution activities provide a mechanism for projects to evaluate their processes at the local level and look for improvements that can be implemented.
When improvements are judged effective, the information is submitted to the organizational level for potential deployment in the organizational processes.
Causal Analysis and Resolution apply to a process that is selected for Quantitative Project Management. Use of the specific practices of this process area can add value in other situations. Still, the results may not provide the same degree of impact on the Organizational Performance Management and process performance objectives.
Using Online-PMO’s Causal Analysis and Resolution process and procedures, organizations can tailor the process to fit their organization or may choose to purchase configuration management practices rather than develop them.