Linking return on training investment with defects causal analysis

In this paper, we present a process for linking organizational training efforts with defects causal analysis in software development organizations. The process is being implemented in a CMMI maturity level 3 organization. Since causal analysis is not an expected process area at maturity level three, key success factors for the implementation of the process are identified and analyzed. The conclusions were tested in this software development organization. In order to do that, a pilot project was selected and training was implemented to support the process. The training results are analyzed in order to validate the overall approach. The resulting work provides a guideline for implementing causal analysis in lower maturity organizations and establishes that the implementation is viable in the target organization.