The Configuration Management Plan (CMP) is the formal documentation that dictates how configuration management activities will be executed for a specific project or system. This written strategy establishes documented, repeatable procedures for handling system artifacts throughout their existence. The plan ensures all project participants understand the standardized approach to managing the technical integrity of the product being developed or maintained. Creating the CMP provides the necessary structure before significant work begins on the system.
Understanding Configuration Management
Configuration Management (CM) is the technical and administrative discipline used to establish and maintain consistency of a product’s performance, functional, and physical attributes throughout its life. CM focuses on system components, known as Configuration Items (CIs), which can include source code, hardware specifications, or design documents. CM activities create a stable reference point, called a baseline, representing the agreed-upon state of the system at a specific point in time. The CM process is continuous, ensuring the system evolves predictably, while the CMP is the static document describing how this process will be applied to a specific project.
Why the Configuration Management Plan is Essential
A formal Configuration Management Plan establishes controls necessary to mitigate project risk effectively. By defining clear procedures for handling system artifacts, the plan reduces the likelihood of deploying incorrect or unauthorized versions of software or hardware. The CMP promotes consistency across development teams by standardizing version control and release procedures. This standardization maintains system integrity, ensuring components work together and the product meets its original specifications. Furthermore, the plan provides complete traceability, allowing teams to reconstruct the precise history of every system component, which is often required for regulatory compliance.
Essential Components of a Configuration Management Plan
Configuration Identification
Configuration Identification is the foundational activity where system components are selected as Configuration Items (CIs) and given unique identifiers. This process details the naming conventions, version numbering schemes, and storage locations for these items. Identification formally establishes a baseline, which is a snapshot of the approved CIs at a specific point in the project lifecycle. This baseline acts as the confirmed starting point against which all future changes are measured and authorized. The plan specifies the criteria used to select items requiring formal control, focusing on artifacts that are delivered, require formal testing, or are necessary for maintenance.
Configuration Control
Configuration Control governs the systematic process of managing changes to established baselines. This activity begins when a formal Change Request is submitted, detailing the proposed modification and its rationale. The plan specifies the workflow for technical review and evaluation of the request’s impact on cost, schedule, and performance before authorization. A formal Change Control Board (CCB) is defined within this section to review, approve, or reject all proposed changes before implementation. Control procedures ensure that no unauthorized modifications are made to baselined items and that only approved changes are incorporated into the system.
Configuration Status Accounting
Configuration Status Accounting (CSA) involves recording and reporting the current state and history of all Configuration Items throughout the project. The plan defines the specific data to be collected, including the current version number, the identity of the person who made the last modification, and the date the change was implemented. CSA provides project management with accurate, up-to-date information on the status of all baselined items, supporting decision-making and reporting. This ensures that the documentation accurately reflects the physical state of the system. Reports generated track the number of approved changes, the status of outstanding change requests, and the history of baseline releases.
Configuration Audits
Configuration Audits are formal reviews executed to verify the integrity of the system and its documentation. The plan outlines two primary types: the Functional Configuration Audit (FCA) and the Physical Configuration Audit (PCA). The FCA verifies that the Configuration Item meets the performance and functional requirements specified in its design documentation and testing results. The PCA confirms that the implemented product physically matches the technical documentation and release records defined in the baseline. These audits are conducted before the product is officially accepted or released, providing a final check that the system is built correctly and documented accurately.
Roles, Responsibilities, and Training
The CMP must clearly delineate the organizational structure and specific roles involved in the management process. This includes defining the responsibilities of the Configuration Manager, project team members, and the Change Control Board membership. The plan assigns accountability for all CM activities, from initial identification to final delivery and archival. It specifies the reporting structure for CM activities and the escalation path for resolving configuration conflicts. The plan also specifies the training requirements necessary to ensure all personnel understand and adhere to the documented CM procedures and tools.
Tools and Infrastructure
The Tools and Infrastructure section specifies the technological environment used to execute the plan’s procedures. This includes identifying the specific version control systems, defect tracking databases, and build automation software utilized. It details the setup and maintenance of the central repository where all baselined Configuration Items and related documentation are securely stored. The plan must also address access rights and security protocols for these tools to maintain data integrity. Procedures for backing up and recovering configuration data are documented here to prevent the loss of historical information.
Implementing the CMP Across the Project Lifecycle
The Configuration Management Plan is integrated throughout the project lifecycle, not applied as a single event.
In the initial phases, the CMP dictates which artifacts, such as requirements specifications and architectural designs, are selected as CIs and placed under control. A key baseline is established at the end of the design phase, formalizing the agreed-upon architecture before detailed development begins. This initial baseline serves as the official agreement on what will be built.
During the development and testing phases, the CMP governs control over source code, test cases, and build scripts. Change control procedures ensure that only approved modifications are integrated into the evolving system. New baselines are established periodically, such as after successful system integration testing, creating stable release candidates. The plan specifies the exact point when a CI transitions from developer management to formal CM control.
The final phases, including deployment and maintenance, rely on the CMP to manage the release of the final product and subsequent updates. The plan specifies archiving procedures for older versions and ensures the production environment configuration is accurately documented and controlled. The CMP defines the criteria for retiring CIs and the process for transitioning control responsibilities to a maintenance organization.
CMP vs. Related Project Documentation
The Configuration Management Plan is often confused with other project documentation, but it serves a distinct, technical purpose focused on product integrity. The overall Project Management Plan is a comprehensive document covering scope, schedule, budget, and resources for the entire project. The CMP is a subsidiary plan focused narrowly on the integrity of the system’s technical components, providing procedural details for one aspect of the overall management strategy.
The Change Management Plan, a separate entity, deals with the organizational and human aspects of transitioning stakeholders to a new system or process, focusing on communication and training. In contrast, the CMP’s Configuration Control section focuses strictly on the technical process of requesting, evaluating, and approving modifications to the system’s components. The CMP is concerned with the integrity of the product, while the Change Management Plan is concerned with the readiness of the people.