What are the most effective ways to manage software configuration and change control?

1 Use a version control system

A version control system (VCS) is a tool that tracks and records the changes made to software artifacts over time. It allows you to create, update, merge, and revert different versions of your software, and to collaborate with other developers on the same project. A VCS also provides a history of changes, a backup of your work, and a way to resolve conflicts and bugs. Some of the most popular VCSs are Git, Subversion, and Mercurial.

2 Define a configuration management plan

A configuration management plan (CMP) is a document that defines the policies, procedures, roles, and responsibilities for software configuration and change control. It specifies how to identify, organize, store, access, modify, and verify software artifacts, and how to handle changes, requests, reviews, approvals, and audits. A CMP also defines the scope, objectives, and deliverables of software configuration and change control, and the tools and resources needed to implement them.

3 Implement a change control process

A change control process (CCP) is a set of steps that guide the evaluation, approval, implementation, and verification of changes to software artifacts. It ensures that changes are consistent, traceable, and aligned with the project requirements and goals. A CCP also minimizes the risks of introducing errors, conflicts, and inconsistencies to the software. A CCP typically involves the following stages: change request, change analysis, change approval, change implementation, change verification, and change closure.

4 Use a configuration management database

A configuration management database (CMDB) is a repository that stores and manages the information and relationships of software artifacts. It helps you to identify, track, and control the configuration items (CIs) that make up your software product, such as code modules, documents, data, components, and dependencies. A CMDB also enables you to monitor the status, history, and impact of changes to CIs, and to generate reports and metrics on software configuration and change control.

5 Apply configuration audits and reviews

Configuration audits and reviews are quality assurance activities that check and verify the accuracy, completeness, and compliance of software artifacts and changes. They help you to identify and correct any errors, deviations, or discrepancies in your software configuration and change control processes and products. Configuration audits and reviews can be performed at different stages of the software development lifecycle, such as planning, design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance.

6 Adopt best practices and standards

Best practices and standards are guidelines and recommendations that help you to improve the quality and efficiency of your software configuration and change control processes and products. They provide a common framework and language for software engineering activities, and help you to avoid common pitfalls and mistakes. Some of the best practices and standards for software configuration and change control are ISO/IEC 12207, IEEE 828, CMMI, and ITIL.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?