OverviewOverviewQuick Review: TriageSeverity vs. PriorityWhat is the “Matrix”?Why do we need the Matrix?Using the Matrix
Quick Review – TriageQuick Review – TriageFrench – “sorting”A system used by software
development teams to ration limited technical resources when the number of defects needing resolution exceeds the resources available to correct and verify them so as to resolve the greatest number of defects possible. (My definition)
Severity vs. PrioritySeverity vs. PriorityOften use interchangeablyNOT THE SAME THING!Severity – defines the impact the defect
has on the customer and likelihood of occurrence◦Obscure Fatal System Error vs. Spelling Error
Priority – determines the order in which defects will be fixed/resolved and retested◦Obscure Fatal System Error vs. Spelling Error
Determining Severity & Determining Severity & PriorityPriorityInitially defined during defect
discoveryValidated during “Triage”Ordinal data
◦Not numeric, relative ranking only◦Highly subjective!
How many levels?◦Between 4 & 5◦Odd vs. Even◦Order (1-4, 4-1)
PriorityPriorityDefects should be resolved based on
Priority NOT Severity!Answers 2 Questions:
◦What do we fix?◦When do we fix it?
Based on:◦Impact on the Customer (Impact or
Severity)◦Resolution Difficulty (Difficulty)
Time Resources
The “Matrix”The “Matrix”Visual tool or …“Mental” processAssists in
evaluating and prioritizing defect resolution
Ranking2 Factors:
◦ Difficulty (x-axis)◦ Severity/Impact (y-
axis)
The “Matrix” – What To The “Matrix” – What To Fix?Fix?Assess defects in
terms of:◦ Difficulty – 4
levels◦ Severity/Impact –
4 levelsPlot results
◦ 16 possible points◦ Note: no fence-
sitting
The “Matrix” – What To The “Matrix” – What To Fix?Fix?Assign Priority
based on Quadrant (Q-Score)
Q-Score = Priority◦ QI = Priority 1◦ QII = Priority 2◦ QIII = Priority 3◦ QIV = Priority 4
Additional ranking within a Quadrant
The “Matrix” – When To The “Matrix” – When To Fix It?Fix It?QI - Priority 1
◦ Low Difficulty, High Impact
◦ Fix it Now!QII – Priority 2
◦ High Difficulty, High Impact,
◦ Prior to next build
The “Matrix” – When To The “Matrix” – When To Fix It?Fix It?QIII – Priority 3
◦ Low Difficulty, Low Impact
◦ Defer to next minor release (dot release – 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, etc.)
QIV – Priority 4◦ Low Difficulty, High
Impact◦ Defer to next major
release (2.0, 3.0, 4.0, etc.)
SummarySummaryQuick Review: TriageSeverity vs. PriorityWhat is the “Matrix”?Why do we need the Matrix?Using the Matrix
Questions?Questions?Contact Information
◦Email [email protected]
◦Instant Messenger MSN: [email protected] Yahoo: [email protected]
More Stuff◦www.stickyminds.com◦Search on “whalen”