What is Configuration Management?

Key Components of Configuration Management:

1. Version Control: Version control is a fundamental aspect of CM that involves managing different versions of system components, documents, or software artifacts. It enables developers to track changes, revert to previous versions if necessary, and manage concurrent updates. Popular version control systems include Git, Subversion (SVN), and Mercurial.
2. Configuration Identification: Configuration Identification involves systematically identifying and documenting the system's configuration items (CIs). CIs can include software, hardware, documentation, and other components that make up the system. Each CI is uniquely identified and managed throughout its lifecycle to ensure accurate configuration status accounting.
3. Change Management: Change Management within CM refers to the process of controlling proposed changes to the system's configuration. It involves assessing change requests, evaluating their impact, obtaining approvals, and implementing approved changes while maintaining the system's integrity. Effective change management reduces risks associated with unauthorized changes and ensures that all modifications are traceable and documented.

Benefits of Configuration Management:

• Consistency and Stability: By enforcing standardized configurations and version control practices, CM ensures consistency across development environments, reducing errors and enhancing system stability.
• Traceability and Auditability: CM provides a clear audit trail of all changes made to the system, facilitating compliance with regulatory requirements and improving accountability.
• Facilitates Collaboration: By maintaining a centralized repository of configuration items and versions, CM promotes collaboration among teams, enabling efficient development, testing, and deployment processes.

Other Terms: