PMGT_PRO002 Configuration Management

This procedure highlights the key activities performed in managing configuration items:

 

  • Defining a Configuration Item
  • Checking out a Configuration Item
  • Checking In a Configuration Item
  • Removing a Configuration Item

All of these procedures use the PMGT_FRM003 Configuration Management Forms.

 

Configuration Item Types

 

All of these types can be managed using the configuration management forms.  (NOTE:  Software modules and build requirements are best handled by use of specialist configuration management software.)

Hardware System or Component (HW)

Computer systems, servers, components etc.

Software Products or Applications

This is at the top level for a software product or application.

Individual software modules

Generally tracked at a source module level and generally using some level of software configuration management tools.

Document

A template or other project document that is placed under configuration management.  

Equipment

Furniture, test equipment, customer provided equipment, etc.

 

Defining a Configuration Item

 

Ensure the item is defined

The configuration item may already have a product description or may be described as part of a process.

 

Define the Configuration Item with a unique identification.

Fill in the Configuration Item Information Form to describe the characteristics of the configuration item.  Reference any of the product descriptions or other process information if it is available.  If not, describe the configuration item fully here.

 

NOTE:  The level of detail and level of control for a configuration item must be justified.

NOTE:  Define both master library requirements and development library requirements.

 

Ensure that hardware serial numbers or part numbers are available.  Ensure that software CDkeys or authorisation codes are available.  Ensure that CI IDs are identified for physical items (hw, etc).

 

Identify the build and packaging requirements for the configuration item.

Identify the configuration item structure

If necessary, identify the configuration item structure.  This may require the additional configuration items to be defined.

Place this information into the configuration item file.

Place this information into the configuration item file.

 

Checking out a Configuration Item

 

Identify an action in either an Issue or Work Package to check out a configuration item.

Identify an action to checkout a configuration item from it's location.  This ensures that the current ownership of the item is defined to prevent others from initiating a change to this item.  This action is usually initiated from the processing of an Issue or a Work Package.

Make an entry in the Configuration Item History Log

Fill in the next history ID, the date checked out and a reference (if any) to the action checking out the item.  Enter the reason why the item is being checked out and who the owner will be while the item is checked out.

Take the latest version of the item to make the appropriate changes.

Take the latest version of the configuration item from the source location and perform the action on the item.

 

Checking In a Configuration Item

 

Identify an action in either an issue or Work Package to check in the configuration item.

Identify an action in the Issue action list or the work package action list to return the configuration item to its checked in location.

Record the date and the action id for the return of the item

Record the date and the action id for the return of the item on the Configuration Item Record.

If the item is now part of another item.

If the configuration item has been added to another configuration item (ie now part of a system or installed on a system), then indicate the date the configuration item was added to the parent configuration - do not specify the location of the item.

Record the location of the configuration item

Record the location of the configuration item and return the configuration item to this location.  Leave the location blank if the configuration item was added to another configuration item.

 

Removing a Configuration Item

 

Check for history actions against the configuration item.

If the configuration item has had some history applied to the configuration item, this item cannot be removed.  The status must be changed to a 'no longer used configuration item'.  If no history has been used for this item, the configuration item can be removed and it's status set to 'Not Available'.

In some cases, remove the configuration item from the source area.

Remove the configuration item from the normal location for the item so it will not be accidentally used.

If necessary, archive the configuration item.

If necessary, archive the configuration according to the storage and retention requirements for the configuration item.