Configuration management(CM)

• Also known as s/w configuration mgmt(SCM)

• Changes takes place continuously ,these changes get reflected in files containing source ,
data or document.
• Is the aspect of project management that focuses on systematically controlling the changes
so that complication do not occur.
Concepts
• CM is essential to satisfy basic objective of project "delivery of high quality s/w product to
the client”
• Primary objective of CM is to manage the evolving configuration of s/w system.
• Naming program files according to std conventions & keeping files in specific directories
help finding file quickly.
• Proper naming also helps developers to understand the nature of contents.
• Version control helps to preserve older version
• Change request traceability provides mapping from a requirement change request to
subsequent changes in the program.
• Access control ensure that only authorized people can modify certain files.
 Configuration process
• The CM process defines the sequence of activities that must be performed
in support of the CM mechanisms.
• 1) first stage is planning
• ie. Identifying those items that need to be under CM, locations to store
them, procedures for change control & so on.
• Project manager or CC prepares this plan.
• 2) then the process must be executed by deploying a tool.
 Planning & setting up CM
• Involves identifying the configuration items & specifying the procedure to
be used for controlling & implementing changes to them.
• Ex.Configuration items include requirements,specification,design
documents, source code, test plans etc
• During planning the types of items that come under the aegis of CM are
identified but a detailed list of items is not prepared.
• To facilitate proper naming of configuration items, the naming conventions
for CM items are established during the CM planning stages.
• Project manager also plans version numbering
• If configuration item is changed, old copy is retained & new is created.
• Project manager must decide how to maintain the state of a program.
• o/p of this phase is CM plan.
• Policies & procedures for change control are established during planning.
 Activities in this stage
• Identify configuration items, including customer supplied & purchased
items.
• Define a naming & numbering scheme for configuration items
• Define the directory structure needed for CM
• Define change control procedures
• Define method for tracking the status of configuration items
• Define backup procedure
 Perform configuration control
• Two main activities
• 1) deals with managing the state transitions of programs
• 2) deals with managing the change requests that must be implemented.
• State transition mgmt involves moving the items from one directory to another
when the state changes & then creating versions when changes are made.
• Frequently tools are used to manage the states & versions of items & access to
them.
• Many CM tools employ the check in & check out procedure for controlling
access & handling version control.
• Ex. A pgm is considered in a controlled envt. When it is in any state in which
others can use it.
• In controlled envt, pgm cannot be modified.
• Project manager keep modification log in the program source to know the start
& end of change.
• to implement requirement changes, which in turn trigger changes to
configuration items, a change request is first analyzed by performing an
impact analysis, which determines the programs & documents need to be
changed.
 Status monitoring & Audits
• If projects use mechanism based on directory structure to represent the
state of a program, mistakes are possible.
• To minimize mistakes and catch any errors early, projects must perform
regular status checking of configuration items.
• In addition to checking status of items, projects must check the status of
change request.
• Finally, projects can perform a configuration audit.
• Main focus is that CM process of the project is being followed.
• The baseline for the system can also be audited to ensure that integrity is
not being violated.
• Projects CC conducts CM audits.
• After CM audit, a report is usually issued that lists what needs to be done
to keep the CM activities consistent with CM plan.