Software configuration management principles and best practices

Abstract

This paper identifies fundamental principles and practices essential to the successful performance of a configuration management system. Practices are grouped into four categories that govern the management process, ensure product quality, protect software artifacts, guide tool use. In addition, the practices are prioritized according to their effect on software products and processes and the coverage of the identified principles. When these practices should be applied in the software development lifecycle is discussed, as is the potential for automating and validating practices.