Configuration Management

Configuration Management, CM, is a process model established to maintain the consistency and integrity of a system or software product throughout it's lifecycle.

CM can be defined as the control of changes made to a product's hardware, software and documentation.

ITIL, Information Technology Infrastructure Library, has defined three CM specializations, Software CM, Hardware CM and Operational CM which supports a historical CM methodologies.

CM is the process that identifies and maintains the record of all registered configuration items and their related attributes.

CM was created by the U.S. Department of Defense in the 1950's as a technical management process.

It was created to manage and control the highly complex software and systems being developed.

The key capabilities of CM systems today are the identification and control of complex systems and software as they evolve over time.

Version control systems and configuration management databases, CMDB, maintain a history of changes to systems and software as they evolve.

They allow for access to current or past versions of systems and software.

This is a very powerful concept and tool for maintaining version control.

• CMDB - CM Database
• Change Management
• Build and Release Support
• Process Management

A CMDB is a repository of all the metadata related to systems and software in an organization.

It holds information such as owner, version number, server names, dependency information and much more.

A key success factor in implementing a CMDB is the automation of the collection of the information and on-going updates to the database.

Change Management addresses issues of problem tracking and change control and presentation and analysis of management information derived from these sources.

Gathering management information is greatly simplified if change features are part of the CM system.

Without this coordination, there maybe no cross-referencing between different systems and databases.

Building different systems can take large work efforts. Inefficient build processes can consume many engineer hours. Intelligent build processes can dramatically reduce build times.

Release processes can allow for the tracking of what specific versions of software and systems a particular user is using. This allows for the complete understanding of the downstream effects of changes in any of the tracked systems.

CM process management allows organizations to ensure they can meet internal and external auditing standards, such as, ITIL, SOX, ISO 9000 and CMMI standards.

CM process management ensures that process, testing and quality assurance practices were followed prior to release of systems or software.

A relatively new trend is to use the information held in the CM systems to link to information in Project Management systems. This should increase the coupling of CM and Project Management to better deliver and report on project risk and status.

Configuration Management CM is a process model established to maintain the consistency and integrity of a system or software product throughout it's lifecycle.

CM Audit This page outlines a CM Audit performed by an internal audit team. A CM Audit ensures that functional and physical attributes are accounted for in accordance with the requirements an applications or system.

Configuration Management Database CM Database, or otherwise known as CMDB, is a central repository for all configuration items that comprise an information system. A key goal of a CMDB is to understand the relationships between application and system components and track their configurations.

Configuration Management Plan This is a sample CM Plan. This CM Plan is a template to use for putting together a CM Plan. Feel Free to use this as a template for your own CM Plan.

CM Proposal This page is a CM Proposal for a company looking to more tightly integrate their CM team which includes their CMDB and their SCM Team.

Configuration Management Salaries CM Salaries - This page is dedicated to publishing salary information about CM Salaries.

Configuration Management Software CM Software are the Configuration Management Tools and Utilities used to create records, track changes, manage and control your environments. CM, is a process model established to maintain the consistency and integrity of a system or software product throughout it's lifecycle.

SCMWise Software Configuration Management SCMWise is dedicated to SCM. This site is a central repository for the collection of best practices, processes, methodologies and tools that surround SCM.

Software Configuration Management Software Configuration Management an inventory of Software Configuration Management pages and information.

Software Build Build automation is the process of combining all the steps necessary to compile the source code into build artifacts into a one step process. This can include many different types of tasks depending on the technologies involved.

SCM Jobs SCM jobs can be a very challenging and rewarding career. Potential candidates should be able to handle multiple high priority tasks without cracking under the pressure. Must be able to see the big picture while being focused on highly technical tasks and issues.

Software Configuration Management Tools Software Configuration Management Tools are the tools and utilities used in administering source code, building software, install packaging, defect tracking, change management and managing software configurations.

Software Version Control Version Control is a system or tool that captures the changes to a source code file, website or document. Version Control Software is essential to ensuring integrity to your Software Development Life Cycle.

Software Change Management Software Change Management is the process of controlling change to software. It encompasses Software Development Life Cycle and Software Change.

Software Development Life Cycle Software Development Life Cycle is the process in which you encapsulate your software development. Specifically meaning, it is the process and tools you use to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of your software development efforts.

Configuration Management Configuration Management, CM, is a process model established to maintain the consistency and integrity of a system or software product throughout it's lifecycle.

Define Project Management Define Project Management is a body of knowledge concerned with principles, techniques, and tools used in initiating, planning, executing, controlling and completing projects.

Web Content Management Software Web Content Management Software is a list of the top CMS Software and Tools used to create, edit, administrate and publish website content.

Definition of Information Technology Definition of Information Technology attempts to define and clarify the many aspects that surround IT.