Project Management: Configuration Management

Configuration management focuses on establishing and maintaining the consistency of a system or product's performance with its requirements, design and operational information.  By identifying the functional and physical attributes of the system or product at various points in time -- and by regularly updating those attributes using a defined change control process -- a system or product's integrity and traceability are maintained and controled throughout the development life cycle.  Project configuration management (PCM) is the collective body of processes, activities, tools and methodologies used to manage these items during the project life cycle, and this management system helps to insure that the post-project functionality is documented. 

Throughout the life of a project, information is needed to help direct and manage the project.  Creating, modifying and storing these items is an important part of the project.  The following items are typically under the control of the PCM process:

• Project Artifacts - project documents, such as the project charter, statement of work, project management plan, WBS, project schedule etc..., are all project artifacts that need to be stored for reference purposes (both during and after a project)
• Structure - since these project artifacts are important collections of project related information, a method of structuring these documents is needed.  Information must be organized in an efficient way, allowing for the easy retrieval, storage and use of the information
• Item Identification - items selected are typically at a level of significance to present the project manager or sponsor with recognizable points of achievements
• Taxonomy Scheme - unique identification and naming conventions must be applied to all project artifacts such that all configuration management items can be tracked and cataloged

Applying configuration management principles to project artifacts ensures:

• The correct version of the item is in use by the project team
• Changes to items are only made by authorized individuals
• A planned means of notifying stakeholders of approved changes is in place
• A record is kept to support auditing and project closure activities