An effective systems development and design process is far easier to explain than it is to implement. A framework is needed that organizes the life cycle activities that form the process. This framework is Configuration Management (CM).

Software Configuration Management discusses the framework from a standards viewpoint, using the original DoD MIL-STD-973 and EIA-649 standards to describe the elements of configuration management within a software engineering perspective.

Divided into two parts, the first section is composed of 14 chapters that explain every facet of configuration management related to software engineering. The second section consists of 25 appendices that contain many valuable real world CM templates.

The content is extensive and inclusive, covering everything from CM planning to configuration identification, verification, and auditing. Although it is vendor-neutral, it offers a serious discussion of what to look for in a CM tool and lists toolsets for review. This volume is a sourcebook of techniques, templates, and best practices in the field, providing software engineers and systems developers with what they need to run a successful CM program.

Table of Contents:
INTRODUCTION TO SOFTWARE CONFIGURATION
MANAGEMENT
SCM and Process Improvement
Measurements and Metrics
Benefits of SCM
SCM Components
Configuration Identification
Configuration Change Control
Configuration Status Accounting
Configuration Auditing
Implementing SCM in the Organization
Manage the Risks of SCM
Summary

PROJECT MANAGEMENT IN A CM ENVIRONMENT
Who Writes the Project Plan
What Goes Into the Project Plan
CM-based Project Plan Components
Configuration Status Accounting
Summary

THE DOD CM PROCESS MODEL
CM Benefits, Risks, and Cost Impact
CM Life-Cycle Management and Planning
Relation to Systems Engineering Process
Implementing the CM Process
Measuring and Evaluating the CM Process
CM Benefits and Risks by Program Life-Cycle Activity
Effect Process Improvement and Document Lessons Learned
Summary

CONFIGURATION IDENTIFICATION
How Configuration Identification Works
Configuration Identification General Activity Guides
Product Structure
Configuration Items
Configuration Item Selection Criteria
General Guidance
Additional Factors
Configuration Documentation
Configuration Baselines
Document and Item Identification
Engineering Release
Interface Management
Summary

CONFIGURATION CONTROL
The Process of Configuration Control
Engineering Change Proposal
Summary

CONFIGURATION STATUS ACCOUNTING
Typical CSA Information over the Acquisition Program
Life Cycle
Configuration Status Accounting Process Evaluation Checklist
Summary

A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO DOCUMENTATION
AND CONFIGURATION STATUS ACCOUNTING

Configuration Identification
Configuration Status Accounting
The Effective Documentation of Systems
Methods and Standards
Maintaining Documentation
Summary

CONFIGURATION VERIFICATION AND AUDIT
Configuration Verification and Audit Concepts and Principles
Summary

A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO CONFIGURATION
VERIFICATION AND AUDIT
Components of a Design and Document Verification Methodology
Components of a Configuration Audit Methodology
Components of a Testing Methodology
The QA Process
The Test Plan
Test Automation
Summary

CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT AND DATA
MANAGEMENT
CM-Related Data Management Concepts and Principles
Summary

CONFIGURATION CHANGE MANAGEMENT
What Is Configuration Change Management?
The Maintenance Process
The Product Baseline
Types of Maintenance
Corrective Maintenance
Maintenance Costs
A Model for Maintenance
Configuration Management Steps
Managing Maintenance Personnel
Measuring Effectiveness
Summary

CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT AND SOFTWARE
ENGINEERING STANDARDS REFERENCE
The Standards Bodies
A Summary of the EIA Standard (EIA-649)
ANSI
IEEE
ISO
Summary

METRICS AND CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT
REFERENCE
What Metrics Are and Why They Are Important
Traditional CM Metrics
IEEE Process for Measurement
Metrics as a Component of the Process Maturity Framework
Steps to Take in Using Metrics
IEEE Defined Metrics
IT Developer's List of Metrics
Summary

CM AUTOMATION
Automating CM
A Selection of CM Tool
Summary

Appendices
Appendix A Project Plan
Appendix B DoD Engineering Change Proposal
Appendix C Sample Data Dictionary
Appendix D Problem Change Report
Appendix E Test Plan
Appendix F Program Code Inspection Form
Appendix G Sample Inspection Plan
Appendix H QA Handover Document
Appendix I System Service Request
Appendix J Document Change Request (DCR)
Appendix K Problem/Change Report
Appendix L Software Requirements Changes
Appendix M Problem Report (PR)
Appendix N Corrective Action Processing (CAP)
Appendix O Specification Change Notice
Appendix P Project Statement of Work
Appendix Q Problem Trouble Report (PTR)
Appendix R Library/Baseline Change Form
Appendix S Sample Maintenance Plan
Appendix T Software Configuration Management Plan (SCMP)
Appendix U Acronyms and Glossary
Appendix V Functional Configuration Audit (FCA) Checklist
Appendix W Physical Configuration Audit (PCA) Checklist
Appendix X SCM Guidance for Achieving the "Repeatable"
Level on the Software
Appendix Y Supplier CM Market Analysis Questionnaire