If an Appraisal Team Member is participating in a High Maturity Appraisal, which Practice Area should be appraised against level 5 practices?

The correct choice is focused on Causal Analysis and Resolution, which is a key area emphasized at level 5 of the CMMI framework. At this maturity level, organizations are expected to exhibit a quantitatively managed approach to process improvement. This entails identifying and analyzing causes of defects and issues, and implementing solutions based on statistical methods to improve processes.

Causal Analysis and Resolution is critical for organizations striving for continuous improvement, as it underscores the importance of learning from both successes and failures. By assessing processes and identifying root causes of problems, organizations can then take systematic actions to prevent these issues from recurring, thus enhancing overall process effectiveness.

In high maturity contexts, other practice areas, while important, do not specifically focus on the practices outlined for level 5. For instance, Project Management, Verification and Validation, and Supplier Agreement Management are all essential practices, but they do not delve into the depth of causal analysis and resolution as a dedicated area of focus for achieving level 5 maturity. Hence, Causal Analysis and Resolution stands out as the most appropriate practice area to appraise against level 5 practices.