Configuration Management, Basic Concepts
Configuration management (CM) is a support management technique that has been adopted and adapted for application in a number of industries. Originally created by the U.S. Military in the 1950s, however, configuration management involves many different disciplines that have been around much longer.
Configuration management is a blueprint for a model of managing information throughout the development cycle and for the rest of the life of a product. Generally there are four basic elements to configuration management:
Identification – is the process of determining the attributes of a configuration item (Any intermediate work product, product component, or product placed under CM, for example, a software script or prototype).
Change Control or Management – is the approval process required to change something about a configuration item.
Status Accounting – is the process of checking a configuration item against the CM model to make sure that any changes are correct.
Verification – answers the question, “Have we made the right thing?” This is answered by, among other things, analyzing tracing reports, to ascertain that all requirements have been met, or by usability assessments, to determine the usability of the system. This check can be done when the change is made, or once the product is finished, preferably both.
Software is available to easily and quickly manage and track your processes, steps, or cycles. A piece of software, a complex weapon system, or even a blanket will go through several steps before becoming a completed product – CM software watches over these processes.
There are many different options for CM software, including some that are available for free on the internet. Some are created for a specific industry, while other options can be used for a broader range of projects. CM software can help you manage complicated processes and cycles, no matter what specific field you are in. With CM software, you do not have to spend effort on managing all this information, allowing you to be more productive in the meantime.
Configuration management may seem very complex, and it can be. However, it is the best method of dealing with complex project or system requirements.