Knowledge Library

SSG 14: Configuration Management

Version 1.0 April 2019

What can an organisation do to get the best out of its assets? Some assets can be configured in multiple ways, and these configurations can vary over time. This creates operational, maintenance, planning and supply chain challenges but to name a few. Configuration management identifies, records and manages the functional and physical attributes of assets, software and related documentation including the links between the components of a system. It is integral to asset creation and acquisition and is closely aligned with the principles of systems engineering.

This SSG covers the 5 key elements of configuration management:

  • Configuration management and planning
  • Configuration identification
  • Configuration control
  • Configuration status accounting
  • Configuration verification & audits

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With thanks to our sponsors of this publication.

        National Grid  

 

CONTENTS  
Acknowledgements   ii
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose of the SSGs 
1.2 Navigating & Using this document 
1.3 Terminology
1.4 The Case for Configuration Management 

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2 WHAT DOES CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT MEAN?
2.1 High Level Definition of the SSG Topic Area
2.2 Concepts, Principles and Key Factors
2.2.1 Concepts
2.2.2 Principles
2.2.3 Key Factors
2.2.4 The IAM Conceptual Model
2.2.5 General Considerations
2.3 Asset Information Management
2.4 Chapter Summary

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3 CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Configuration Management Planning Process
3.3 Establishing Documented Controls
3.4 Establishing Mechanisms
3.5 Establishing Production of Configuration Management Plans
3.6 Application
3.7 Chapter Summary

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4 CONFIGURATION IDENTIFICATION
4.1 Introduction
4.1.1 Overview
4.1.2 Purpose
4.1.3 Context
4.2 Configuration Identification Process
4.3 Control
4.4 Inputs
4.4.1 Configurations Information and Attributes
4.5 Outputs
4.5.1 Setting Configuration Baselines
4.5.2 Presentation
4.6 Application
4.7 Chapter Summary

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5 RELIABILITY ENGINEERING TOOLBOX 
5.1 Introduction
5.1.1 Overview
5.1.2 Purpose
5.1.3 Configuration Control Process Description
5.2 Control
5.21 Configuration Control Authority
5.2.2 Configuration Control Groups/Committees
5.2.3 Application and Structure of Change
5.2.4 Review and Re-Baselining
5.3 Inputs
5.3.1 Need for Change
5.3.2 Evaluation of Change
5.3.3 Change Proposals and Deviation Requests
5.3.4 Approved Configurations
5.4 Outputs
5.4.1 Implementation and verification of change
5.4.2 Documented Information
5.5 Application
5.6 Chapter Summary

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6 CONFIGURATION STATUS ACCOUNTING
6.1 Introduction
6.1.1 Overview
6.1.2 Purpose
6.1.3 Context
6.1.4 The CSA Process
6.2 Control
6.3 Inputs
6.3.1 Supporting elements
6.4 Outputs
6.5 Application
6.6 Chapter Summary

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7 CONFIGURATION AUDITING
7.1 Introduction
7.1.1 Overview
7.1.2 Purpose
7.1.3 Functional Configuration Audit
7.1.4 Physical Configuration Audit
7.1.5 Configuration Audit Process Description
7.2 Control
7.3 Inputs
7.3.1 Approved Modifications
7.3.2 Configuration Status Records
7.3.3 Supporting elements
7.4 Outputs
7.4.1 Audit Planning and Conduct
7.5 Application
7.6 Chapter Summary

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8 SUMMARY
8.1 "To Configure... or... Not to Configure"

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9 APPENDIX
9.1 Configuration Management Quick Reference "Starter Kit"

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10 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING

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