Task: Develop Configuration Management (CM) Plan
Plan activities required to control and manage configuration management system
Disciplines: Configuration and Change Management
Purpose
The purpose of this task is to describe all CM related tasks to be performed during the course of the product/project lifecycle and document how product related CM tasks are to be planned, implemented controlled and organized.
Relationships
RolesPrimary Performer: Additional Performers:
InputsMandatory:
    Optional:
    • None
    Outputs
      Main Description

      The CM Plan is a composite document which contains all the information necessary to effectively carry out configuration management tasks for the project. This includes the documentation of CM policies and procedures.

      The Configuration Management Plan describes the necessary input for effective CM planning. The template is intended to serve as a guideline and intent of each section should be addressed within the context of a given project/product.

      This task is part of tailoring a process for a project ( See Tailor the Process)

      Steps
      Identify and Document CM Policies and Procedures

      Policies may include


      • Identification Policies to identify configuration items and related components that will be placed under configuration management.
      • Naming Policies to identify configuration items . This also includes naming policies of promoted baselines. 
      • Baselining Policies for baselining configuration items.
      • Archiving Policies to ensure that project software and related assets (master documents) are backed-up, cataloged and transferred to designated storage sites.
      • Configuration Status Reporting Policies determine how often a configuration audit is required and designate where configuration items must be stored as well as what actions must be performed when there is a change to configuration items. 

      The configuration management procedures help the project to document configuration management activities that are to be planned, implemented controlled and organized.



      Configuration Procedure may include

      • Naming Procedures
      • Change and Control Management Procedures
      • Promote baseline procedures,
      Review and Approve the CM Plan

      During the review, the attendees review the configuration management (CM) plan which is developed. Using the established CM policies, the group determines if CM plan is developed accurately.The project manager decides whether to approve CM plan or not.



      Maintain the CM Plan

      Re-visit the CM plan throughout the lifecycle to ensure that the overall CM strategy is still relevant to how the project is being developed.

      The Project CM Plan itself needs to be placed under configuration control and should be checked into the source control.