Configuration and Change Control

Question 1

What is configuration management?

Answer 1

the process that controls the coherence of important information within the project.

projects are complex. interaction between different elements of the project need to be controlled.

has two aspects; management of baselines and application of change control processes

Question 2

what is configuration management needed?

Answer 2

uncontrolled changes to component parts of deliverables or project documentation would lead to chaos, late delivery and overspend.

Therefore there needs to be a change control process that manages changes to both project deliverables and project documentation (project plan, PMP)

Especially important for projects with elements of criticality e.g. safety/health implications/ risk

Question 3

what are the key roles involved in configuration management?

Answer 3

project manager:
in small projects, the PM may take the role of configuration manager.

change coordinator/ change controller:
In larger project, there is the need for a member of staff to be dedicated to the management of change items

project sponsor:
gives authorisation to changes

Question 4

CM planning process

Answer 4

• identify authorities that have the ability to approve changes
• identify items to be places under configuration control
• identify change controller
• set up policies for the recording of essential information

Question 5

what are CIs?

Answer 5

Configuration Items

• deliverables identified to be under configuration control
• identified through the PBS and WBS
• will include specifications, computer code, plans, budget, schedules

Question 6

what is status accounting?

Answer 6

the recording of the status of configuration items and how they reached this status (processes)

A status accounting exercise would investigate all the configuration items and baseline contents, and explore and include any linkage items, such as documentation or change requests (whether open or closed).

benefit here is to keep baselines up to date

Question 7

what is the baseline?

Answer 7

• set of approved values for items that form the basis of subsequent work.
• decided at definition stage
• items are baselined following a successful test or review. These are then ‘frozen’ and subject to change control
• as design process increases, level of detail and number of baselined items increases
• it is important not to ‘freeze’ items too early as this may cause inflexibility and delays

Question 8

what can cause change/divergence from plan?

Answer 8

technical problems 
incomplete planning (lack of detailed definition)
unavailability of resources 
organisational change 
environmental change (PESTLE)

Question 9

what can change effect?

Answer 9

project scope
technical parts of deliverables
quality
cost
resources
time

Question 10

Outline the change control process

Answer 10

1. receive request
2. register change request
3. evaluation and decision
4. implement and document
5. close

Question 11

3. what is the role of the change control board?

Answer 11

decide whether to approve change

made up of key representatives from various departments in the project organisation

there may be roles such as;

design authority - responsible for changes that may effect design of project

quality authority - responsible for how changes may effect quality/safety aspects

procurement - how changes may effect outstanding purchase orders

Question 12

what might be the decision criteria?

Answer 12

• safety
• performance
• cost/budget
• time/schedule
• necessity of change

Question 13

what is the change control register?

Answer 13

a log that summarises all changes in the project and used to track the status of all changes