Impact

2 minute read

Classification of impact levels, as an open-ended enumeration.

• Data Type: string
• Enumeration Elements:
  • 1 - Critical
  • 2 - High
  • 3 - Medium
  • 4 - Low

1 - Critical

Faults that seriously impair or halt performance in production for the end user.

• Production System:
  • System, server or critical application down.
  • The user cannot make use of a “must-have” business-essential function in the production system.
  • The problem cannot be solved by a restart or a bypass or a workaround.

2 - High

Serious faults that affect productivity or development:

• Production System:
  • Problem where production is proceeding, but in a significantly impaired fashion.
  • The production system is running, but with repeated interruptions.
• Development System:
  • The problem cannot be solved by a restart or a bypass.
  • Halts further development and workaround has not been found.
  • Cannot move product into production and workaround has not been found.

3 - Medium

Medium faults:

• Production System:
  • Problems which do not have a significant impact on current productivity.
  • The production system is running, but with limitations.
  • A function in the production system is failing, but there is a bypass available.
• Development System:
  • A function in the development system is failing, but there is a bypass available.
  • Development project can proceed, but in a significantly impaired fashion.
  • A workaround has been found but it is not acceptable.

4 - Low

Minor faults which do not affect the use of the system or have no impact.