
As a result ...
-departures from requirements can be identified
-deficiencies can be corrected fast
-the system interfaces can be controlled
-risks can be identified and managed
-the quality is known
-performance, availablility, capability, useability can be optimized
This leading to cost effective and safe systems through life
Configuration Management is the core of developing and maintaining cost effective and safe systems
CM is the means through which integrity and continuity of the design, engineering and supportability are recorded, communicated and controlled. CM efforts result in complete audit tracability of decisions and design modifications. With well functioning Configuration Management you will obtain:
Customer satisfaction - through correct, clear, traceable and agreed information about the system’s configuration.
Cost reduction - through minimal time in searching for configuration data and documents.
Consistent asset management – through correct data at each lifecycle stage.
Controlled change – through assessing the impact of changes before their implementation.
Risk reduction - through valid, correct and traceable information.
The cause and effect of CM is further illustrated in the flowchart below. Since well functioning CM is a prerequisite for a full range of engineering and management activities, the key to a successful implementation of the CM capability in an organisation is to ensure that all stakeholders are involved and that all interfaces to other management diciplines are taken into account.
Configuration Management ensures ...
-that structured and relevant views of the system breakdown are available
-that information is valid, have integrity, and is accessible
-that design changes follow a controlled process
-that all design decisions and modifications can be traced
-that baselines (snapshots in time) provide a common point of reference