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Understanding the Defect Matrix System

This document introduces the defect prioritization "Matrix", which is a visual tool to help software teams prioritize which defects to fix first when resources are limited. It does this by plotting defects on a grid based on their severity/impact on the y-axis and difficulty to resolve on the x-axis, assigning each defect to a quadrant. Defects in quadrant I (high impact, low difficulty) are the highest priority to fix, while those in quadrant IV (low impact, high difficulty) are the lowest. The Matrix provides a structured way to determine both which defects should be fixed and the order in which to fix them.

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4 views13 pages

Understanding the Defect Matrix System

This document introduces the defect prioritization "Matrix", which is a visual tool to help software teams prioritize which defects to fix first when resources are limited. It does this by plotting defects on a grid based on their severity/impact on the y-axis and difficulty to resolve on the x-axis, assigning each defect to a quadrant. Defects in quadrant I (high impact, low difficulty) are the highest priority to fix, while those in quadrant IV (low impact, high difficulty) are the lowest. The Matrix provides a structured way to determine both which defects should be fixed and the order in which to fix them.

Uploaded by

allymelody
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

The “Matrix”

Dave Whalen
Whalen Technologies
Overview
Quick Review: Triage
Severity vs. Priority
What is the “Matrix”?
Why do we need the Matrix?
Using the Matrix
Quick Review – Triage
French – “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. Priority
Often use interchangeably
NOT 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 & Priority
Initially
defined during defect discovery
Validated 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)
Priority
Defects
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”
Visual tool or …
“Mental” process
Assists in evaluating
and prioritizing
defect resolution
Ranking
2 Factors:
◦ Difficulty (x-axis)
◦ Severity/Impact (y-
axis)
The “Matrix” – What To Fix?
Assess defects in
terms of:
◦ Difficulty – 4 levels
◦ Severity/Impact – 4
levels
Plot results
◦ 16 possible points
◦ Note: no fence-sitting
The “Matrix” – What To 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 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 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.)
Summary
Quick Review: Triage
Severity vs. Priority
What is the “Matrix”?
Why do we need the Matrix?
Using the Matrix
Questions?
Contact Information
◦ Email
 [Link]@[Link]
◦ Instant Messenger
 MSN: [Link]@[Link]
 Yahoo: dave_whalen14@[Link]
More Stuff
◦ [Link]
◦ Search on “whalen”

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