2.7 Software configuration management  (Page 2/11)

The figure following shows a stylized representation of these activities:

Management of the scm process

SCM controls the evolution and integrity of a product by identifying its elements, managing and controlling change, and verifying, recording, and reporting on configuration information. From the software engineer’s perspective, SCM facilitates development and change implementation activities. A successful SCM implementation requires careful planning and management. This, in turn, requires an understanding of the organizational context for, and the constraints placed on, the design and implementation of the SCM process.

Organizational context for scm

To plan an SCM process for a project, it is necessary to understand the organizational context and the relationships among the organizational elements. SCM interacts with several other activities or organizational elements.

The organizational elements responsible for the software engineering supporting processes may be structured in various ways. Although the responsibility for performing certain SCM tasks might be assigned to other parts of the organization such as the development organization, the overall responsibility for SCM often rests with a distinct organizational element or designated individual.

Software is frequently developed as part of a larger system containing hardware and firmware elements. In this case, SCM activities take place in parallel with hardware and firmware CM activities, and must be consistent with system-level CM. Buckley describes SCM within this context. Note that firmware contains hardware and software, therefore both hardware and software CM concepts are applicable.

SCM might interface with an organization’s quality assurance activity on issues such as records management and non-conforming items. Regarding the former, some tems under SCM control might also be project records subject to provisions of the organization’s quality assurance program. Managing nonconforming items is usually the responsibility of the quality assurance activity; however, SCM might assist with tracking and reporting on software configuration items falling into this category.

Perhaps the closest relationship is with the software development and maintenance organizations.

It is within this context that many of the software configuration control tasks are conducted. Frequently, the same tools support development, maintenance, and SCM purposes.

Constraints and guidance for the scm process

Constraints affecting, and guidance for, the SCM process come from a number of sources. Policies and procedures set forth at corporate or other organizational levels might influence or prescribe the design and implementation of the SCM process for a given project. In addition, the contract between the acquirer and the supplier might contain provisions affecting the SCM process. For example, certain configuration audits might be required, or it might be specified that certain items be placed under CM. When software products to be developed have the potential to affect public safety, external regulatory bodies may impose constraints. Finally, the particular software life cycle process chosen for a software project and the tools selected to implement the software affect the design and implementation of the SCM process.